News

Nearly 100 vehicles have been removed from the streets of Shepway and Dover in the latest multi-agency operation to target untaxed and abandoned vehicles.

Operation Cubit is run by Kent Police in partnership with Kent County Council and the DVLA and is also funded by Kent Fire and Rescue Service, Ashford Borough Council and the District Councils in Dover and Shepway.

It is now in its seventh year in South Kent and in that time, has been more than 3000 untaxed vehicles off the area's streets.

Any vehicles found, or reported to be untaxed or abandoned during the operation are checked with the DVLA, then clamped and removed to be stored in a local holding area.

Any vehicle that is not claimed within 14 days is destroyed in a crusher into the shape of a cube, hence the name of the operation "cube-it".

In Dover district a total of 43 vehicles were removed, of which 23 were reclaimed, but 20 were crushed.

And in Shepway District, 31 were crushed  and 22 reclaimed after police removed 53 vehicles.

The DVLA said that nationally, road tax evaders cost the Exchequer millions of pounds each year.