POLICE seized 23 vehicles for having no insurance, tax or driving without a licence, in a motorway operation.

The road traffic enforcement operation took place on the M5 northbound by the Strensham services, in Worcester.

The Central Motorway Police Group were supported by West Mercia Police in carrying out the operation from 9am to 3pm.

Officers found five vehicles which had defects so severe they were considered a danger to the public and seized.

The police also found MOT breaches, vehicles with too much weight, prohibitions, defective tyres and four drivers using their mobile phones.

Duty Inspector Sion Hathaway, of the Central Motorway Police Group, said: “The fact that we seized 23 vehicles in just a few hours highlights just how many vehicles are being driven illegally on our roads.

“This was a high visibility operation targeting drivers that choose to use the roads with little or no regard for the safety of others.

“Our message is very simple, if you’re not taxed, insured or licensed then don’t even think about driving your car on the road.

“If you do, then just remember that we’re out there looking for you and we’ll use the full weight of the law to take you off the roads.”