THE police's Operation Firesafe resulted in 80 abandoned vehicles being removed from Redditch and Bromsgrove.

They were recovered as a result of calls to the hotline detailing where the cars were along with the relevant documentation.

Redditch and Bromsgrove councils were responsible for removing the cars to improve their areas.

Sgt Stuart McDonald said: "The operation has been successful with areas being improved as the eyesore of abandoned cars has been removed. It also means the abandoned cars cannot be set on fire with the potential to cause danger and harm to others.

"From October 20-24 we held three Automatic Number Plate Recognition days where vehicles and drivers who are wanted in respect of a crime or no tax are highlighted as they drive past a van fitted with computer equipment.

"On each day officers from West Mercia's Road Policing Unit, a dog handler and up to 14 officers from Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest were on hand to deal with any vehicles that the computer equipment highlighted."

The DVLA and Customs and Excise also carried out their own checks on vehicles.

On each of the three ANPR days, about 20 people were stopped for a variety of motoring offences and 14 vehicles were taken off the road due to the lack of road tax. One of them was also found to be running on red diesel.

Eight people were arrested, two for theft, four for drink or disqualified driving and two were wanted on warrant.