CLOSE to 150 vehicles have been seized in the past week as police crackdown on people breaking the law on the county’s roads.

Officers have conducted numerous traffic stops and vehicle checks, as well as using automatic number plate recognition systems to take dozens of cars, motorbikes and vans off the streets.

Between midnight on Friday April 15 and today (Thursday April 21), 146 vehicles have been seized by police for various offences, including 83 which had been abandoned.

Fifty-two vehicles were also towed-away for insurance reasons, while five were seized by officers who had grounds to suspect they were being driven in an anti-social manner. 

Overnight police became aware of a stolen Ford Fiesta in Southport, close to the border between Merseyside Police and Lancashire Police.

Police patrols spotted the vehicle and engaged in a pursuit which continued into Lancashire, with the car being driven at speeds of 125mph before being stung by officers.

Three people ran from the car and at this time remain outstanding.

The car was reported as stolen from St Helens, with a battery drill and pliers, likely to be used for burglaries, recovered.

The car keys were later found by officers searching the area, with the vehicle to be returned to its rightful owner.

Supt Melita Worswick, operations manager at Lancashire Police, said: “Over the last few weeks proactive work from officers has resulted in a number of police pursuits, resulting in stolen vehicles being returned to owners, offenders arrested and equipment potentially planned to be used to commit crime being seized.

"This has no doubt prevented a number of people from becoming a victim of crime.

“We know many drivers have concerns about those using the road network to break the law and these results show we have taken robust action.

“Our message is clear; if you use our roads illegally or to commit crimes, you can expect a swift and firm police response."