Officers have been using new road traffic powers

Six months ago, officers began seizing vehicles belonging to drivers without valid insurance or a driving licence.

Lothian and Borders Police said 460 unclaimed cars and motorcycles have been scrapped.

Officers have new powers under the Road Traffic Act (Retention and Disposal of Seized Motor Vehicles) Regulations which came into effect on 7 June.

The owners are told they have to pay a �105 removal fee, as well as a daily storage charge of �12, to have their cars returned.

Drivers face fines to recover their vehicles, which will not be released if they fail to produce appropriate insurance.

Worryingly, around 460 drivers made a decision not to reclaim their vehicle and we had these disposed of David Legge Lothian and Borders Police

Police have destroyed or sold 460 of these vehicles after their owners failed to reclaim them from the pound.

Among the recent seizures was a Peugeot 205 confiscated from a 31-year-old unlicensed driver in Blackburn, West Lothian, at 1350 GMT on Sunday.

His car was searched and illegal drugs worth �200 were discovered.

On the same day, a 35-year-old woman was stopped in Newcraighall Road, Edinburgh, at 1220 GMT, while driving a Rover 200 without insurance.

A 35-year-old woman with only a provisional driving licence had her Peugeot 406 seized at 1215 GMT on Monday in the city's West Pilton Park.

All the drivers have 14 days to provide the necessary paperwork or face losing their cars.

Police said they can spot traffic offenders quickly

Inspector David Legge, of Lothian and Borders Police's road policing branch, said officers had been amazed at the impact the new legislation was having.

He said: "Asbo legislation had given us impetus in this area previously but this has far exceeded expectation.

"Without any special initiative or song and dance, our front line officers took this into the communities, detected offenders and we are potentially taking death and destruction from the roads.

"Worryingly, around 460 drivers made a decision not to reclaim their vehicle and we had these disposed of."

Superintendent Phil O'Kane, the road policing branch commander, added: "Drivers should by now be aware of the instant access we have to their vehicle information and driver documentation.

"If we see a vehicle, we know what you are about. If you're not legal, we will take your car. The public should be assured that we are targeting these criminals and reducing crime."