FORTY drivers in East Lancashire have been snared so far in a heavy police crackdown on tinted windows.

Drivers have been warned, given on-the-spot £30 fines and even prohibited from driving in their cars since the purge started at the end of April.

The crackdown has come since police, covering Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, got a new piece of equipment.

The Tintman measures the percentage of sun which is allowed through the windscreen and front side windows.

More than 75 per cent of light must pass through the windows, according to a European directive from the 1980s.

That law has hardly been used but officers decided to invoke it on a regular basis after becoming concerned about the growing number of dark tints seen on the road.

They believe the windscreens are a danger because they reduce drivers' visibility, especially at night.

Officers also struggle to identify people in cars with dark tints, so suspects could pass them by. But many drivers are still not aware of the law and have been caught out as a result.

Mohammed Azam, of Lancaster Place, Wensley Fold, Blackburn, was stopped by the team driving his black 1993 Mercedes in Northgate, Blackburn.

His front windows let in just 4.5 per cent of light -- 70 per cent below the legal requirement.

Mr Azam, who received a warning, said: "I had no idea of the law. Nobody told me before. They just gave me seven days to get them changed. I am going to take it in on Friday and put in light ones in the front.

"It came as a bit of a shock."

PC Andy Spouse, who is carrying out the checks, said: "We usually end up with about 12 a day. Some of the drivers are aware of the law, some aren't."

"If drivers have any concerns over their tinted windows, they are welcome to ring us at the office and come down.

"If a driver is found to be driving under prohibition, they risk being locked up."

Anyone with concerns about tinted windows should contact Accrington Road policing unit on 01254 353764.