Uninsured drivers will have their cars seized and destroyed as from today.

Police forces across the country will now be using an automatic number plate recognition camera linked to a database. This contains details of all vehicles registered in the UK which are believed to be uninsured.

Transport Secretary Alistair Darling saw West Midlands police in action as they began the crackdown.

Darling said: “Today we are sending out a very clear message to those who drive without insurance. There is no place to hide.

"The new powers to link up cameras and the insurance database will make it far easier for police to tell if passing cars are uninsured and take action against the driver.”

Darling also announced that a new offence would be created for keeping a vehicle without insurance. This will be enforced through a new database of insurance details which means that uninsured drivers don't even need to be on the road to be caught.

"It is estimated that every law-abiding motorist pays an extra £30 a year because of uninsured drivers. Drivers are rightly fed-up with those who flout the law and we are determined to rid the roads of this small hardcore of anti-social drivers," says Darling.

Meredydd Hughes, ACPO lead on roads policing and chief constable of South Yorkshire Police said: "Evidence indicates that up to 10% of vehicles on our roads are being used illegally and many of these will be people who drive with no insurance.

“We know that people who don't insure their vehicles, or indeed drive with no licence or test certificate are more likely to be involved in other criminal activity and collisions.”