DOZENS of illegal drivers were stopped by police carrying out checks in Oxford city centre yesterday.

The operation, held at Osney Lane and Oxpens between 11am and 3pm, was part of a mobile Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) scheme to net motorists driving cars flagged up for no road tax, insurance or being involved in other crimes.

Pc Steve Higa said: "I am pleased with the operation, it was very successful.

"No front line staff were used and as well as seizing vehicles that were illegal, student officers also gained valuable experience in dealing with the public, filling in documents and being aware of what they should know about vehicles"

There were seven trainee officers and six tutor officers running the operation.

Police seized one moped and five cars after the vehicles' number plates were flagged up on the mobile ANPR cameras for having no insurance.

Three cars were also searched on suspicion of stolen property and drugs but nothing was found and no arrests were made.

Drivers of 23 more vehicles were stopped for not having a valid MOT or licence and owners have been told to produce vehicle documents at a police station.

The mobile ANPR cameras run a vehicle's number plate through police and DVLA databases checking for illegal drivers and wanted criminals.