OFFICERS from South Yorkshire Police seized nearly 100 cars from the roads of Barnsley in just two months - averaging nearly two cars per day.

Twenty-two per cent of people who took part in the police’s most recent roads policing survey said that they wanted officers from across the county to target drivers who have no insurance.

During June and July officers managed to do just that, recovering a total of 589 vehicles across the entirety of South Yorkshire - including 81 just in Barnsley.

June saw officers seize 39 vehicles in Barnsley, 288 across the rest of the county, and July saw 42 vehicles taken off the road in the town for no insurance, in comparison to the 220 in the rest of the region.

Sergeant Rob Jones said: “Driving without insurance is illegal and will not be tolerated on our roads.

“Uninsured drivers pose a risk to other road users for a number of reasons - those who take a risk by not being insured are more likely to take further risks in their driving manner and vehicles use.

“Some drivers are unaware that their insurance is invalid and fail to realise that you need to ensure your policy covers you if you’re using another vehicle, even if that vehicle has insurance.”

All drivers that are caught on the roads of South Yorkshire without insurance will be given an immediate six points on their licence as well as a substantial fine - a risk that officers say is not worth taking.

“Motorists caught driving without insurance will receive a minimum £300 fixed penalty notice and six points on their licence,” Sgt Jones added.

“Vehicles will be seized and potentially crushed or sold at auction. Uninsured drivers can also be referred to court where they face an unlimited fine and a driving ban.

“Having valid insurance is more than the law - it is designed to protect victims of road traffic collisions by providing them with financial compensation.

“The consequence of driving without insurance are significant and I want to remind the public that it is a risk that is simply not worth taking.”

It’s not just vehicles with no insurance being seized either, as a campaign to take cars off the road that are believed to have been used in crimes is at the forefront of police matters.

“One of our main priorities as roads policing officers is to intercept criminal’s use of our road networks,” Sgt Jones said.

“Offenders involved in organised crime use vehicles to move around the country, distributing drugs, money as well as other criminality - they will often use stolen vehicles on cloned licence plates to drive across our county and the wider area.

“Seizing stolen cars disrupts this type of crime and can sometimes mean we can reunite the vehicle back with its owner.

“Seizures for cars believed to be used in crime can give us forensic opportunities and evidence to ensure those involved are prosecuted for their actions.”