A MAJOR crackdown on untaxed vehicles has resulted in 705 being clamped or towed away in Southampton.

Many of the untaxed cars, vans and lorries were removed thanks to the use of DVLA vans equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology.

These are able to instantly spot any vehicle using the roads without an up-to-date tax disc.

The latest operation to catch out car tax cheats took place during the 13 months up to the end of June.

Nationwide, the number of untaxed vehicles that have been immobilised or removed has doubled since May 2006.

NCP Services is running the fleet of hi-tech ANPR vans, with cameras which can read number plates at up to 20 miles per hour, backed up with towaway vehicles and clampers.

Owners of clamped vehicles must pay a release fee of £80 and a valid vehicle licence must be produced. They will also be pursued for any back tax that is owed.

Unclaimed vehicles could be crushed after seven days.