News

Another 44 untaxed and abandoned vehicles have been removed from the streets of Hawkinge, Folkestone, Hythe and Lydd in the latest successful ‘operation cubit’.

Operation Cubit is run by Kent Police and Shepway District Council with Clean Kent and the DVLA and is also funded by Kent Fire & Rescue Service.

Since the operation was launched in South Kent in 2001, more than 3000 untaxed vehicles have been removed from 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”.

The latest Operation Cubit ran between 15th to 19th March with 44 vehicles removed from Folkestone, Hythe, Hawkinge and Lydd.

Many of the vehicles were removed thanks to information that was given to Shepway neighbourhood teams and Kent County Council community wardens by local residents.

The issue of untaxed and abandoned vehicles is often raised as a priority that local residents want dealt with, so officers will continue to look out for them and inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).

Sergeant John Merritt from Shepway Community Safety Unit said: “The majority of car owners who do tax their vehicles get increasingly angered by others who flout the law at their expense. Operation Cubit is another good example of how we’re working in partnership with other agencies to tackle issues that are of concern to local people.”

Shaun Taylor from the Community Safety Unit said: “By using the resources and agencies available to the Community Safety Unit Shepway continue to have excellent results compared with other areas in the county. More importantly we continue to listen to community concerns and keep our streets clean and free from untaxed vehicles.”

If you want to report an untaxed vehicle please ring: DVLA on 08000 325 202 or online at www.dvla.gov.uk/onlineservices.aspx .

© Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2010