ESSEX Police officers seized cars in Harwich and Manningtree as people were arrested for drug driving and driving without insurance.

Officers from the Roads Crime Policing Unit carried out patrols around Harwich and Manningtree on Saturday, with several drivers being spoken to at both locations.

One vehicle was seized due to having no insurance and one ticketed for having no MOT.

While there was also a drug driving arrest.

A another driver was processed for having no MOT as well as for no seat belt, no insurance, careless driving, and failing to stop.

In July, Roads Policing Unit officers seized 10 uninsured vehicles as part of Operation Scalis, a partnership road-safety initiative with Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB).

Additional funding from the MIB meant the unit could further identify uninsured vehicles during county-wide patrols on July 27, using data supplied by MIB.

Operation Scalis was the first of a number of days of action planned for the months ahead.

Road Crime and Safer Essex Roads operational co-ordinator Samantha Wright said: “We do understand the continued effect of the on-going cost of living crisis and how it affects family and business decisions about how and where they spend their money.

“It’s illegal to drive an uninsured vehicle and we don’t want people taking unnecessary and potentially dangerous risks, so it’s important that every driver is aware of the importance of legal repercussions, including your vehicle being seized."

Ms Wright added: “An insurance company is the first call in the event of a collision so it’s important that you have the correct coverage to get you back on the road.”

Simon French, law enforcement liaison officer at MIB, said: “We know that our police colleagues have many pressing priorities so, by supporting forces to allow them to designate time to focus on uninsured driving, we know the benefits will be widely felt across all different areas of the force."

Officers will continue to monitor areas reported to them as part of their #YouSaidWeDid campaign.