A TWO-day crackdown in South Lakeland targeting untaxed and abandoned vehicles has resulted in 30 enforcement actions.

The joint operation, involving officers from South Lakeland District Council (SLDC), Cumbria Constabulary and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), saw 25 cars and vans clamped while five other vehicles were issued with enforcement notices by the DVLA.

Vehicles in areas of Kendal, Milnthorpe, Staveley, Windermere and Ambleside were targeted as part of Cumbria police’s Week of Action, a county-wide campaign that tackled crimes residents are most concerned about.

Officers were acting following reports from the public, in the past year SLDC has received around 300 reports about abandoned vehicles.

A spokesperson for SLDC said: “Operations like this are essentially about responding to customer complaints and taking the necessary enforcement action.

“The vast majority of people pay for road tax, vehicle insurance and MOTs, it’s only fair action is taken against those who do not.

“Abandoned cars in residential areas can pose a serious risk to communities. They are eyesores, but more seriously, in the past they have been targeted in arson attacks.”

Owners of vehicles that are clamped have 24 hours to get their car or van taxed and also have to pay a release fee for the clamp. Motorists who fail to do this have their vehicles impounded and then crushed if they still refuse to pay.

Inspector Paul Latham added: “The results clearly show that there are still many people in the area that are failing to tax their vehicles. Some motorists think because they don’t have to display a tax disc anymore, they won’t be found out.

“This is not the case and enforcement will be taken against those failing to tax, insure or MOT their vehicles – if you do not have the relevant lawful documents, you will be caught.”