ALMOST 170 untaxed vehicles were clamped in a joint crackdown by the DVLA and police on car crime in the force area that includes Wyre Forest.

Twelve drivers were given fixed penalty notices for having unroadworthy vehicles in Operation Meerkat, run over 10 days by West Mercia Constabulary and the driving licensing organisation.

A total of 167 vehicles were clamped, while 10 drivers were stopped for driving without insurance and eight were caught driving without a valid MoT certificate.

One arrest was also made for driving while disqualified.

The DVLA claimed the offensive could impact on other types of crime.

Jeff Mumford, head of compliance at the DVLA, said: "The drivers of untaxed cars are often involved in some other form of criminal activity, whether that be transporting drugs or driving without insurance or an MoT - both of which have a direct impact on the community and other motorists.

"In the two weeks of this operation, we have worked with West Mercia police to identify and seize untaxed vehicles. Numerous other offences were also identified and dealt with by the police."

Changing car tax laws and the DVLA crackdown were hailed as "great news" for overall road safety, helping police fight car crime by making vehicles more traceable.

Acting sergeant Andy Wallace said: "We are working closely with DVLA to remind drivers that not taxing their vehicles is against the law.

"Some of the vehicles clamped over the last two weeks were unroadworthy and potentially dangerous, putting both their drivers and the public at risk."

He added: "Identifying these untaxed vehicles has helped us to detect other offences - such as driving without insurance or while disqualified - which also put the public at risk.

"There are clear links between the unlawful driver and involvement in other criminal offences and serious road collisions."

Mr Mumford said: "We know there still remains a core group of hard evaders who have no intention of paying tax and are usually equally remiss with their MoT and insurance.

"They have no concerns about the possible consequences, either to themselves or, more importantly, to law abiding members of the community.

"This operation has been a great success and a further endorsement of the benefits of our new strategy.

"We know who these people are, where they are and what vehicles they drive and now, with the help of the police, our answer is simple - we're taking your car - no more warnings," he added.