Brighton and Hove drivers warned about threat of cars being seized

Uninsured drivers in Brighton and Hove and those without road tax are about to be more at risk of losing their cars.

The growing threat comes as Sussex Police extends the power to confiscate untaxed cars and vans – and vehicles with uninsured drivers – to all uniformed officers.

Until now, only traffic officers could seize vehicles.

Chief Inspector Di Roskilly, of the Sussex Police Road Policing Unit, said: “These powers are a great tool for officers to help to keep our roads safer by removing drivers that disregard the law from our roads.

“Uninsured and unlicensed drivers are a risk to the wider public.

“This power has been trialled for a long period by the Road Policing Unit and a robust process is in place to ensure only drivers who are committing certain offences have their vehicles seized.

“We are now in a position to roll this power out to all uniformed officers, including special constables.

“We appreciate the impact taking a car away can have on an individual and therefore we are ensuring this power is used proportionately.

“Once seized, vehicles can be released back to the owner if they can show the correct paperwork within 14 days and pay the relevant fees.

“The vehicle can be disposed of by way of scrapping or auction if they don’t.

“The aim of giving all uniformed officers these powers is to reduce crashes involving uninsured and unlicensed drivers, ensure people are driving legally and get criminals off our roads.

“We know the majority of the public are very supportive of us using these powers.”

The power to seize vehicles is contained in section 165A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and related regulations.

Anyone wishing to report an uninsured or unlicensed driver can do so through www.operationcrackdown.co.uk or by calling Sussex Police on 0845 6070999.