Suffolk police seized 918 uninsured vehicles in 2023

A total of 918 vehicles being driven without insurance across the county were seized by Suffolk police throughout the year, equating to 2.5 vehicles every day.

Suffolk police and crime commissioner Tim Passmore described the figure as "staggering".

Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore (Image: Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner)

He said: "I find it absolutely staggering that anyone would get behind the wheel of a vehicle without insurance.

“I fully support the Constabulary’s proactive approach to enforcement and with the automatic number plate recognition equipment in police vehicles the chances of being caught is significant. So my message to those who deliberately drive uninsured is, be warned Suffolk’s roads policing officers are on the case.”

Police forces across the country submit monthly vehicle seizure statistics to the Motor Insurers' Bureau.

Consequences of driving without insurance include six penalty points, a fixed penalty of £300 or paying a fee to have a vehicle seized. 

Inspector Gary Miller, of the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Roads and Armed Policing Team, said: “These statistics clearly demonstrate the proactive work our officers are undertaking every day to keep our roads safe.

“Anyone who thinks that driving a car without insurance is not that serious, should speak to people who have been involved in a collision where they have not been able to claim for the damage caused to their vehicle, or for any medical care they may have required as a consequence.

“In many cases, vehicles being deliberately driven without insurance are an indicator of other offences – from driving without a licence, to using a stolen vehicle or other criminality – particularly drug-dealing.

“Without any doubt, identifying and removing these vehicles from our roads helps make the county a safer place for everyone.”