POLICE seized four vehicles and handed out fines to motorists as part of a crackdown on illegal drivers. Operation Reclaim, an ongoing initiative, saw officers from Eastbrook and Alibon Safer Neighbourhood Teams, Traffic Police and the DVLA stop a total

POLICE seized four vehicles and handed out fines to motorists as part of a crackdown on illegal drivers.

Operation Reclaim, an ongoing initiative, saw officers from Eastbrook and Alibon Safer Neighbourhood Teams, Traffic Police and the DVLA stop a total of 26 vehicles in Rainham Road North, Dagenham, last Thursday.

Each vehicle was guided into the entrance of Central Park, where it was checked, along with the driver's documents.

By the end of the three-hour operation three cars and one van had been seized, because the drivers did not have insurance or the correct licence or the vehicle was un-roadworthy.

The seized vehicles are impounded and cannot be reclaimed without the correct licence, tax, insurance, MOT, and full payment of the costs from seizure and storage of the vehicle.

Officers also issued four fixed penalty notices and arrested one person, who was wanted on warrant for an unrelated offence.

Seventeen motorists were found to be driving untaxed vehicles.

PCSO Jack Lewis, who organised last week's operation, said:

"These operations are something that will continue long into the future. They involve a number of partnership agencies, all of whom are committed to making our roads a safer place for both drivers and pedestrians.

"I would like to thank the public for their cooperation during this initiative.