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Cars of 23 rogue drivers taken off road
By Edward Chadwick
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THE cars of 23 rogue drivers have been taken off the road as part of a crackdown on illegal vehicles.

Police launched Operation Giant - a three-month purge on rogue motorists using cars without tax or insurance - in Bolton town centre yesterday.

It coincided with the beginning of Greater Manchester Police's campaign to catch Christmas drink drivers.

Officers have warned that every driver who is stopped in the town between now and the New Year will asked to give a breath sample.

Sgt Brian Orr said: "We could be absolutely anywhere in Bolton as part of this operation.

"Any vehicles being used illegally will be seized and every driver stopped to provide a specimen of breath at the roadside.

"That is on top of anybody stopped as part of routine patrols which will be increased over the coming month.

"I hope this operation will help people to think again about drinking if they are due to get behind the wheel of a car."

Yesterday (MONDAY) in Trinity Street, more than 60 vehicles were stopped.

Police used hi-tech Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to check passing cars for tax, insurance and MoT certificates.

Seven cars being used without insurance and a further 16 with no tax were seized on the spot.

Police also issued on-the-spot fines and court summonses to drivers who were seen driving without seatbelts or using mobile phones.

Operation Giant is being partly funded by Bolton Council and will see officers carry out roadside checks at locations across Bolton until the end of February.