FIFTEEN town drivers were stopped by police as part of a new crackdown on unsafe cars.

And while nine out of the 15 vehicles examined were found to be in perfect order, meeting the requirements for road safety, the remaining six tested had serious defects.

As a result of Operation Ocelot, one driver was stopped for speeding, eight were breathalysed and tested negative, and four were presented with prohibition notices preventing them from using their vehicle until the defect was fixed.

One vehicle was seized, one driver was given a non-endorsable fixed penalty notice with an immediate fine and several were asked to present their driving documents at the police station.

The operation is a partnership project launched by Bromsgrove police with Bromsgrove Community Safety Town Centre Action Group and is aimed at ensuring vehicles are in a roadworthy condition and driven safely. It particularly targets the anti-social behaviour of a group of young drivers around the town centre.

Police worked with road policing units from both Rubery and police HQ, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and Bromsgrove District Council to carry out the operation last Wednesday night. Vehicles stopped at locations across the town centre were brought back to be examined at the unit in Windsor Street.

Chief Insp Charlie Hill said: "We see the launch of this initiative as an opportunity to tackle the anti-social behaviour of a group of boy racers who drive in and around Bromsgrove town centre on a regular basis."