UNLICENSED motorists who take to the roads of East Yorkshire are in for a tough time, as the region's police force begins a clampdown on the law-breakers.

Humberside Police are cracking down on the number of people driving around who are either disqualified, have no tax, no insurance or no MOT.

It forms part of the latest campaign to reduce the numbers of people killed or injured on the roads in East Yorkshire.

It is estimated that one in 20 motorists in the region are driving around with no insurance, while about ten per cent of all vehicles do not have a valid MOT test certificate.

Humberside Police officers have the power to seize, retain and dispose of vehicles which are uninsured or where the driver does not have a license. During the last 16 months alone, officers have seized a staggering 5,200 vehicles.

While the campaign runs, officers on high-visibility patrols will be out and about on the roads carrying out checks, and it is hoped this will reduce the number of serious road traffic offences and to provide public reassurance.

Officers will be liaising with other agencies, such as the DVLA, to detect possible offenders. Those drivers found to not have a licence and or the correct documentation for the car could face anything from a verbal caution to a fixed penalty notice or being arrested and appearing before a court.

Sergeant Neil Fillingham, of Humberside Police, said: "Research shows that people driving or riding motor vehicles are more likely to commit other serious road traffic offences and other criminality, including theft of and the unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle.

"Officers will be patrolling the regions roads carrying out spot-checks and using static points and asking drivers to pull over.

"The message is simple - do not drive unless you have a full driving licence and all the correct documents or expect to face the consequences."