More than 100 vehicles with unpaid car tax were confiscated by police.

Officers working with the DVLA stopped 181 untaxed drivers in Brighton and Hove.

They seized and impounded 112 vehicles. The remaining 69 motorists paid on-the-spot fines.

Eighteen people were found to be driving without a licence or insurance. There were seven arrests for other offences including theft of motor vehicles, forgery and driving while disqualified.

The ten-day Operation Vanquish, which ended last week, was part of an ongoing partnership between the DVLA and Sussex to remove dangerous vehicles from the road. Car tax can only be purchased with valid MOT and insurance.

Police say drivers of untaxed vehicles are also often found to be involved in other criminal activity such as drugs, antisocial behaviour, burglary and violent crime.

PC Bryan Huberman of Sussex Police said: "We are working closely with DVLA to remind drivers that not taxing your vehicle is against the law. Many of the vehicles we have impounded over the last two weeks were un-roadworthy and potentially dangerous, putting both their drivers and the public at risk.

"There are clear links between the unlawful driver and involvement in other criminal offences and serious road collisions."

Jeff Mumford, head of compliance at DVLA, said: "We know there still remains a hardcore group of evaders who have no intention of paying tax, and are usually equally remiss with their MOT and insurance."

He added: "This operation has been a great success."