Unclaimed cars will be crushed

Unlicensed cars in Middlesbrough could be confiscated and crushed under a campaign by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

Middlesbrough has signed up to an agreement which allows them to remove untaxed cars from the streets.

Offenders' cars will be clamped, which will cost �200 to remove - after 14 days unlicensed and unclaimed cars will be crushed.

The initiative is being supported by Cleveland Police and Middlesbrough Council.

Vandalised vehicles

The system means any car that does not have a tax disc can be checked by the DVLA at Swansea within three seconds and the vehicle can be impounded.

Middlesbrough mayor Ray Mallon said it was an important move to deal with a big problem as a link often exists between road tax dodgers and other road crimes.

Ed Chicken, from Middlesbrough Council, told BBC Radio Cleveland they usually deal with about 25 abandoned cars a week.

He said he hoped the scheme would cut crime and the number of vandalised cars.

Roadworthy repairs

Mr Chicken said: "Once we have picked up the car then owners have 14 days to act.

"If they do not come back to us within 14 days the car will be crushed.

"If they do come back to us, they will have to pay �200 to recover the car then they will have to tax and MOT it to make it roadworthy.

"Hopefully we will have less abandoned cars in Middlesbrough... the quicker we can get them off the street the better."