Road tax dodgers beware your car could be crushed into a compact cube of metal and plastic.

The graphic warning of the possible fate of unlicensed vehicles was given on York's Knavesmire today.

The city's racecourse formed the backdrop to the launch of a major police initiative to crack down on road tax cheats.

Unlicensed vehicles left unclaimed in car graveyards were crushed, as motorists were warned that North Yorkshire will be targeted for the first time by a national scheme to wheelclamp and impound the vehicles of road tax dodgers.

It is estimated that there are 30,000 people who have not paid for road tax in the area covered by North Yorkshire Police, and they are costing the nation £3 million in lost revenue.

The campaign is being launched by the county's police force in tandem with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and the tough new action will come into effect on July 2.

Clampers will be operating around the clock, patrolling the streets and clamping the vehicles of road tax dodgers.

In addition, North Yorkshire Police will be carrying out roadside checks to root out unlicensed vehicles and motorists committing road safety offences.

Yvonne James, head of enforcement for the DVLA, said: "We are taking a hard line and stepping up our enforcement wheelclamping activity in a determined effort to clamp down hard on this irresponsible group who avoid paying road tax.

"Honest motorists are infuriated at having to subsidise road tax cheats and it is a constant source of resentment.

"Motorists who think it is worth the risk to use an untaxed vehicle should think again.

"There will be squads of enforcement officers throughout the areas along with the police and local councils looking for untaxed vehicles every day.

"There is now no hiding place for those who think they are beyond the law."

She added that law-abiding motorists have nothing to fear, but said that road tax cheats should beware that they could end up "car-less" and "penniless".

Updated: 08:36 Tuesday, June 19, 2001