A MASSIVE blitz on car tax dodgers was today swinging into action across Southampton.

DVLA hit squads were due to target the city as part of a countywide clampdown on thousands of tax disc evaders who persistently drive illegally on local roads.

Police officers were helping to pull over motorists in a series of spot checks across Southampton.

The DVLA blitz was announced on September 26 - giving drivers just under two weeks to ensure they have a valid tax disc for their vehicles.

Now teams of specialist officers will be targeting motorists at the start of a tough two-week crackdown.

Police officers will be supporting the operation as many vehicles without valid tax discs also lack MoT certificates and are not insured.

Today Inspector Pete Hughes, of Hampshire police, said: "These stop-checks show our support for the DVLA's campaign, which is an important road safety issue.

"This campaign aims to target the persistent evaders. Very often the reason they cannot get a tax disc is because they are unable to produce a valid MOT certificate and insurance document."

Insp Hughes, of the force's traffic department, added: "We want these vehicles off the road - for everyone's sake."

A similar crackdown was also taking place today in the Portsmouth area.