Bradford motorists caught driving without insurance could have their cars seized and scrapped by police under new measures introduced today.

The move comes as part of a Government crackdown on uninsured drivers who are believed to be six times more likely to be driving unroadworthy vehicles.

Under the new powers, piloted in the Spen Valley, police will be able to seize vehicles from people driving without insurance immediately, forcing them to make their own way home.

Motorists will then have to show proof of a valid insurance certificate and pay recovery fees before cars can be released. Those not claimed without 14 days will be destroyed.

Sergeant Alan Kaye, of Dewsbury road traffic police which has being successfully piloting the scheme since January, said: "In the past we would identify drivers with no insurance, report them and tell them not to drive until they got insurance. But as soon as our backs were turned they were back on the road re-offending and posing a danger to other road users.

"Now we can prevent that danger on the road by recovering their cars immediately."

The pilot scheme, carried out in areas including Cleckheaton, Heck-mondwike, Birstall and Birkenshaw, saw 400 vehicles confiscated from people with no insurance.

Of those seized, only 15 per cent of owners returned with valid insurance documents to reclaim their vehicles.

Sgt Kaye said: "The types of cars we recovered were of low value and many were not taxed. We also find that people who don't have insurance don't usually maintain their vehicles and often commit other road offences.

"Clearly using vehicles with no insurance makes other road users vulnerable too because if they are in a collision with them it makes it difficult to receive compensation for injuries or damage to property. The new powers send out a clear message that all vehicles used on our roads must be used legally and by people willing to take responsibility for their actions."

It is hoped the new powers granted by the Government today will help stamp out the high level of uninsured drivers in the UK, estimated to be about one million.

Anybody with information about motorists driving without insurance can call Sgt Kaye on (01924) 421046 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.