Criminals are driven off the roads.

AN operation to drive criminals off the road resulted in almost 100 cars being checked in an eight-hour crackdown.

Officers from the North Northumberland Neighbourhood Policing Team worked alongside members of the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency and HM Revenue and Custom in Berwick, Wooler and Seahouses.

The operation aimed to identify illegal drivers, specifically vehicles without road tax, vehicles of unfit condition, cars running on illegal fuel and those using the roads who are involved in crime.

A total of 98 vehicles were checked by police in the eight-hour operation and it resulted in numerous enforcement notices and on-the-spot fines.

Berwick Neighbourhood Inspector Martin Baylis said: "Through working with our partners and carrying out operations like this on roads in the Berwick sector we aim to disrupt and deter crime.

"The aim of this operation was to make our roads safer and reduce casualties, deny criminals the use of the roads and reassure the public."

During the operation 18 vehicle prohibition notices were issued by VOSA for vehicles with defects including noisy exhausts, excessive noise and excessively tinted windows. The drivers either received a pounds 500 fine or were reported.