People who drive illegally in Bradford have been warned their actions “will not be tolerated” after a week-long blitz saw 540 people reported for driving without tax.

The operation in the Bradford West area also saw 29 vehicles seized because their drivers had no insurance.

It was a joint operation between West Yorkshire Police and the DVLA, and the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Yorkshire has warned motorists that similar operations are planned throughout different areas of Bradford in the coming weeks.

The operation comes shortly after the Department for Transport revealed that 1.8 per cent of vehicles in Yorkshire and the Humber were untaxed - double the level in 2007.

The figures also reveal that, nationally, 755,000 vehicle owners failed to pay vehicle excise duty in 2017, the highest evasion rate in a decade.

West Yorkshire Police revealed the results of their most recent crackdown on “uninsured and unroadworthy” vehicles yesterday.

Officers from the police’s Manningham and Toller wards joined with the DVLA, with major routes including Thornton Road being targeted.

They used Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology to spot vehicles that had not been taxed, or were uninsured.

Among the vehicles seized during the week were a Transit van and a Suzuki motorbike, as well as a wide variety of cars.

PC David Senior, who was part of the operation, said: “Uninsured vehicles have no place on the road. They cause a danger to members of the public and will be identified and positively dealt with.

“West Yorkshire Police are committed to improving road safety and similar initiatives are being planned for the near future.”

Since February 2015, West Yorkshire Police have been involved in Operation Steerside, which aims to stop danger drivers in Bradford. To date over 11,000 drivers have been caught under the operation, with about 1,000 vehicles seized.

Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “This joint operation achieved some really impressive results and sends out a strong message to drivers that flout the law that it’s not worth it and won’t be tolerated. Many thanks to PCs Senior, Richard Bedford and Dan Stoker for their hard work along with DVLA partners in achieving these outcomes.

“Similar operations will be taking place in the near future so anyone without a road worthy vehicle or insurance should be aware. Joint activities such as these, coupled with the on-going Operation Steerside, are aimed at ensuring the districts roads are safe for all, and serve as a deterrent to those disregarding the law and the safety of others.”

Councillor Richard Dunbar, (Lab, Thornton and Allerton) said: “Ensuring vehicles are taxed and appropriately insured is about ensuring our roads are kept safe and so this campaign by West Yorkshire Police can only be a good thing in that it raises awareness across the district.

“Whilst it is worrying to hear of the number of untaxed vehicles it is important to note that the vast majority of motorists abide by the law.

“Keeping our roads safe is of paramount importance and I fully support initiatives which work towards this aim”

A DVLA Spokesman said: “It’s an offence not to tax a vehicle before it’s driven on the road. “It’s easier than ever before to tax your vehicle, and more than 98 per cent of vehicles on the road are correctly taxed. The law is clear, and that is why we take action on behalf of the taxpayer against those who break the law.

“DVLA continues to work closely with the police and local authorities to address vehicle tax evasion at local levels and to share intelligence to target vehicle keepers who are deliberately not taxing their vehicles.” The operation follows a one day blitz on illegal drivers in the Shipley area of the district.

On November 29 police officers and DVLA staff took part in a one day operation in Windhill, during which four cars were seized.