Clamping of untaxed cars soars

More than 8,600 vehicles were clamped in the West Midlands in just a year as part of a crackdown on people getting behind the wheel without road tax, latest figures have revealed.

The number of untaxed cars clamped in the region by DVLA bosses has shot up by more than 500 per cent in the last three years, according to the figures released today. They show 1,657 vehicles were clamped in 2006 for not having tax, soaring to 7,133 in 2007 and 8,697 last year.

Enforcement is carried out by NCP Services on behalf of DVLA bosses and West Midlands Police. Birmingham and Dudley councils also have powers for carrying out their own stings.

Both authorities have reported a rise in the number of untaxed cars last year. A total of 81 were clamped in Dudley by the council in 2007, up to 86 last year, while Birmingham City Council caught 82 vehicles in 2007 and 85 in 2008.

Sandwell Council safety chief Councillor Derek Rowley said around 3,000 untaxed vehicles had been removed from borough streets in the past two years.

"I get less calls from residents reporting cars without tax and we get less cars being set on fire," he said.

"It is proven to help in the reduction of crime, as a fair amount of these vehicles are used as 'pool' cars by the criminal fraternity."

Motorists who have their vehicles clamped face bills of hundreds of pounds on top of paying their tax, with an initial £100 release fee, rising to £200 if it is impounded as well as a £21 per day storage charge.

DVLA spokeswoman Karen Joseph said: "This car tax crackdown operation is great news for road safety.

"Since car tax can only be purchased with a valid MOT and insurance certificate, it reduces the number of potentially dangerous untaxed, uninsured and unroadworthy vehicles on the road," she added.