A mini-crackdown by mainland cops has resulted in 7 cars being taken off the Island’s roads this week.
An unmarked BMW Police car was brought over to the Island yesterday (Wednesday) as part of a pre-planned operation to target vehicles that shouldn’t be on the road.
The Isle of Wight previously had its own dedicated Roads Policing Unit (RPU) based out of Shanklin, however financial cuts have seen the entire unit disbanded and Police cars moved to the mainland. The Island’s last 2 dedicated and experienced Roads Policing officers were removed from their role earlier this year.
Responsibility of RPU duties has now been transferred to Armed Response, who are using aging vehicles which are not equipped with the ANPR technology used to immediately ping up a rogue vehicle.
In total 7 vehicles were seized and towed away including:
– Mazda B2500 – No tax, no MOT
– Fiat Punto – No insurance, no tax, no MOT
– Renault Scenic – No insurance
– Peugeot 206 – No insurance, no tax
– Nissan Navara – No tax, no MOT
– Ford Focus – No insurance due to failure to disclose previous accident
– Honda Civic – No insurance
The majority of the seizures took place on Fairlee Road, Newport but vehicles were also stopped at Avenue Road, Sandown and Beatrice Avenue, East Cowes.
