Van seized in Ewloe as police find no insurance or MOT
North Wales Police have seized a van in Ewloe after stopping a driver with no insurance, no business-use cover and an MOT that expired in September, as the force intensifies action against uninsured motorists under a new national initiative.
Officers from the Roads Policing Unit carried out the stop on Wednesday afternoon, reporting the driver and removing the vehicle from the road.
Police said the incident was part of a wider push to target uninsured driving across the region.
The Ewloe stop comes after North Wales Police became the first force in Wales to join Operation Scalis, a UK-wide enforcement and education programme led by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB).
The scheme uses ANPR and insurance-status intelligence to identify high-risk vehicles and postal areas with elevated levels of uninsured driving.
The force already seizes an average of 82 vehicles per month, but says Operation Scalis will help them go further by funding dedicated enforcement days and enabling targeted patrols.
Early days of action have already resulted in multiple seizures across North Wales, including a newly-qualified driver whose insurance was cancelled after telematics non-compliance, a disqualified motorist driving with invalid cover, and a recovery truck operating outside the terms of a personal motor trade policy.
Sergeant Alun Jones from the Roads Crime Unit said uninsured driving is far from a victimless offence.
He said: “Uninsured drivers are significantly more likely to cause a death or injury, and are often involved in wider road crime. Removing them from our roads helps protect the public and reduces the financial impact on law-abiding motorists.”
He added that the force is committed to reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on North Wales roads.
MIB Law Enforcement Liaison Officer Hayley Sutcliffe said the partnership will strengthen efforts across the UK:
“Uninsured driving has real consequences for victims who are left vulnerable when collisions occur. Working together means we can identify uninsured vehicles more efficiently and raise awareness of how a lack of cover can devastate lives.”
Drivers caught without insurance face a £300 fixed penalty, six points, vehicle seizure, possible destruction of their car, and increased premiums averaging more than £1,000. In more serious cases, courts can issue unlimited fines and driving bans.
Police are urging motorists to check their insurance status by using MIB’s central database: www.checkyourvehicle.org.uk
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