FOUR people were arrested and 11 vehicles seized in a police operation in Kidderminster.

The ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) operation, on Stourport Road on Thursday, February 28, involved both marked and unmarked police cars from West Mercia Constabulary's Intercept team and the North Worcestershire road policing unit.

Partner organisations, including VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency), Customs and Excise, the Environment Agency and Wyre Forest District Council were also present.

The ANPR system works by special cameras installed in police cars and vans reading number plates of passing vehicles and checking them against more than 100 databases to identify vehicles which are untaxed, have no insurance, been stolen or are otherwise of interest - such as those known to be used by drink-drivers, drug dealers or criminals.

When the system sounds an alert, police stop the vehicle.

During the February 28 operation, 7,777 numberplates were read, producing 269 "hits." Four people were arrested - one for burglary, one for drugs and two for disqualified driving. Vehicle seizures were for no insurance and no tax.

In addition, one £60 fixed penalty ticket was issued for using a mobile phone while driving.

Sgt Mark Layton, of the North Worcestershire road policing unit, said: "We were extremely pleased with the results of the latest operation, which led to the arrests of four people and the seizure of 11 vehicles.

"We regularly carry out ANPR operations on random dates and at random locations right across the division, which means that it is only a matter of time before an illegal vehicle crosses our path.

"The bottom line is that seizing illegal vehicles ultimately helps to reduce crime and make North Worcestershire's roads safer.

"Although the majority of people who use our roads are law abiding, we will continue to target the small minority who choose to flout the law.

"More operations are planned in the near future and, therefore, drivers are recommended to ensure that all the necessary documentation is in order before they even consider getting behind the wheel."

Wyre Forest District Council's cabinet member for property and operational services, Conservative councillor, Marcus Hart, said: "The joint operation was set up to target unsafe vehicles and also crack down on criminal activity to make our community safer for everyone."