ELEVEN vehicles were seized in Colchester as part of a road safety operation.

Operation Surround a Town took place across Colchester yesterday.

As part of the operation, which targeted Cowdray Avenue and Haven Road, 42 people were found not to be wearing seatbelts and 21 drivers were stopped having been spotted using a mobile phone.

One individual was stopped for both offences at the same time.

In total, 18 vehicles were found not to have a valid MOT certificate and two drivers were found to be driving otherwise than in accordance with their licence.

The ANPR operation was led by the Essex Police Casualty Reduction Unit but representatives from the Safer Essex Roads Partnership and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service also took part.

Ten of the seized vehicles were taken for not having insurance while a minibus was also taken because its driver did not have the required licence.

One motorcyclist was stopped for careless riding and a driver was pulled over for carrying a dangerous load.

Sgt David Rudd, from the Essex Police Casualty Reduction Unit, said: "Driving without insurance is a serious offence which can result in a fixed penalty notice of £300 and six points on your licence as well as vehicle seizure fees.

"Despite this a number of people continue to get behind the wheel knowing they do not have the appropriate insurance to do so.

"ANPR cameras are in place across the county and there is no hiding from them.

"If you choose to drive without insurance, it will only be a matter of time before you’re caught and your car is towed away."

Three community speed watch teams, which took part in the operation, recorded 105 speeding drivers in the villages surrounding Colchester.