A POLICE operation on Canvey revealed a dangerous number of drivers are travelling without valid MoTs and insurance.

Almost a quarter of all cars stopped were found without the essential legal test during an eight-hour blitz by police.

Officers based themselves on Foksville Road and at Waterside Farm and stopped 164 vehicles – 37 had no MoT and ten were towed away for not having insurance.

Some of the offenders were spotted randomly by police on motorbikes, while others were trapped by automatic number plate recognition technology.

Adam Pipe, casualty reduction manager at Essex Police, said: “This is very worrying. Your MoT is linked to the safety of your vehicle and that’s a real concern.

“Seizing 10 vehicles for having no insurance is a significant number, too. Without doubt there’s a greater problem here.”

In comparison, only five cars were seized in Basildon in a similar operation earlier this month.

Mr Pipe said in operations in the north of the county, including Colchester, only one or two cars had been seized.

He added: “The A13/A127 corridor has exceptionally high numbers vehicles with no MoT. I urge people to keep up to date.

“Tyre depth and general maintenance in winter is absolutely vital.”

The Canvey day-of-action also saw 68 drivers stopped for travelling without seatbelts – and 14 for using their mobiles. They were told to go to a national driver improvement scheme or pay £100 and receive points on their licence.

Two people were found driving with invalid licences and 11 others committed motoring offences.

No arrests were made, as the MoT offenders were fined £60.

It is not clear whether those cars seized will be crushed or given back to the owners once they have sorted out their insurance.