More than 60 cars seized in year-long blitz on crime in Port Talbot

MORE than 60 motorists have found themselves left without wheels after a year-long blitz on crime in Port Talbot.

The campaign has also seen 15 people arrested and others given spot fines or reported for offences.

Others have been warned to get minor defects corrected or action would be taken against them.

Police say the operation was partly in response to concerns residents raised at Pact meetings around the town.

Port Talbot neighbourhood inspector Karl Eenmaa said officers regularly teamed up with colleagues from the roads policing unit and the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) team.

"They work together to deny criminals the use of the road," said Mr Eenmaa.

"The operations work by checking the number plates of passing cars and searching intelligence databases.

"These highlight vehicles and individuals who are suspected of committing crime, people wanted on warrant and those used by disqualified drivers.

"If a suspicious vehicle is identified by ANPR, police vehicles intercept to carry out checks on vehicles and their occupants."

In the past 12 months in the Port Talbot area, a total of 61 vehicles have been seized and there have been 15 arrests for various offences.

More than 100 drivers have been breathalysed, while there have been 44 fixed penalty notices issued for offences such as not wearing a seatbelt.

There have also been 59 drivers reported for driving defective vehicles, while a further 73 motorists received warnings to rectify minor defects.

Mr Eenmaa added: "Residents regularly report to us through the Pact process their concerns about speeding and the manner of vehicles being used in their communities.

"By working with our colleagues in the roads policing unit we are tackling these issues and the operations provide a highly visible presence in the community.

"The capability of ANPR technology allows us to check thousands of number plates every hour against intelligence databases.

"Combining all of this intelligence helps us to deny criminals the use of the roads in the area."

paul.lewis@swwmedia.co.uk

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