SIXTEEN cars have been towed away as part of a police blitz on untaxed vehicles.

Officers, police community support officers (PCSO) and the DVLA carried out the operation in Ushaw Moor, Brandon, Esh Winning and New Brancepeth.

Vehicles without a disc were either clamped - and removed later - or taken immediately to a compound.

The owners will have to pay back tax plus a fee to release the clamp. Unclaimed cars will be crushed.

PCSO Ben Kinnair said the operation was a success, and may be repeated every few months.

"It is part of an initiative to cut down on car crime and cars being set on fire," he said.

"The tax issue is a problem - not having tax invalidates your insurance - but some of these vehicles have been abandoned and can be attacked by vandals or set on fire."