A CRACKDOWN on motorists in Houghton-le-Spring has been hailed a success.

More than 50 vehicles were stopped during Operation Escort which ran on Wednesday in three locations across the area.

The campaign aimed to tackle motorists driving vehicles which were untaxed or running on illegal red diesel.

PC Steve Hackett, of Sunderland Area Command, said: "By targeting these offenders we aim to make our roads safer and reduce casualties.

"Untaxed drivers cost law-abiding motorists money because of lost revenue. All too often such vehicles are without insurance or a valid MOT certificate and many are not in a roadworthy state."

Police worked with officers from HM Customs and Excise and the DVLA Tax Enforcement Unit. It resulted in seven cars being clamped or removed by the DVLA for road tax offences.

Two Vehicle Defect Rectification Scheme forms were issued, and one car seized for running on red diesel.

Four drivers were reported for offences and a further 16 people asked to produce their driving documents at a police station.

The initiative followed another operation which ran recently in the area in conjunction with the DVLA, when 15 vehicles were seized.

PC Hackett said: "The operation also provided the opportunity to gain valuable intelligence on vehicles and drivers.

"Members of the public were actually ringing the control room and stopping at the roadside to pass on information about crime and vehicle offences.

"It's another example of our working in partnership with other agencies and we will certainly be conducting similar operations in the future."