DISQUALIFIED and uninsured drivers were caught and five vehicles seized during a police crackdown in Leigh.

On March 26 officers carried out an automatic number plate recognition as part of Greater Manchester Police’s big spring clean.

Vehicles believed to be involved in crime were stopped and searched resulting in two drivers being arrested for disqualified driving. Five vehicles were seized for having no motor insurance and 16 fixed penalty notices for a variety of motoring offences, including use of mobile phones while driving.

Further ongoing operations are planned in the area in order to disrupt those involved in crime.

Task team Sergeant Carl Naylor said: “ANPR is an extremely valuable tool in disrupting the day to day activities of travelling criminals. It also helps us to capture people breaking the law by driving whilst disqualified and committing other motoring offences like driving without insurance.

“We will be continuing this initiative across the Wigan and Leigh area to make the roads safer.

"We would also like to raise public awareness of the dangers of being distracted while driving which can have disastrous and life changing consequences. Please do not use your mobile phone whilst driving.”