More than 500 police officers to seize vehicles in London today

Ashton West, MIB

Tweets will be posted live today as more than 500 police officers descend on London to seize uninsured vehicles.

The action is the latest effort by the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) and Metropolitan Police under Operation Cubo.

Officers will use information from the MIB’s dedicated police helpline to seize the vehicles and post information about the seizures live on @DriveInsured.

Every year, more than 140,000 uninsured vehicles are seized across the UK – the equivalent of one every four minutes. More than 40,000 are eventually scrapped when their owners fail to claim them and produce valid insurance.

More than one million cars have been taken off the road since 2005 after the police were given powers to seize uninsured vehicles from the street.

Last summer, the police seized 600 new cars, including a Rolls-Royce Phantom and a glow-in-the-dark Lamborghini.

MIB chief executive Ashton West (pictured) said: “We’re on the side of honest motorists, who pick up a £400m tab for uninsured driving. Seizing uninsured vehicles sends a clear message to those breaking the law.

“Having your car seized is an expensive, inconvenient and embarrassing experience, and rightly so. If it’s your vehicle it’s your responsibility to make sure it’s insured correctly.”

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