A POLICE clampdown in the Morecambe area has led to a number of arrests.

Checkpoints on Morecambe Promenade and at the White Lund Industrial Estate - backed by officers from the DVLA and Customs - led to three arrests and the seizure of 12 vehicles last week.

One man who was arrested for driving while disqualified and perverting the course of justice was jailed for four months.

And another was arrested for drink driving and suspicion of theft of a vehicle licence.

DVLA taxation enforcement officers seized 12 vehicles, and 17,000 cigarettes, six kilos of tobacco and six cases of wine were seized from a 'target' who had been pursued by officers for three years.

PC Ian Johnston, of Morecambe police, says: "We know criminals travel into our area under the impression that they will not be known to us and therefore will not be detected.

This operation targeted them as well as known local criminals and produced some significant results."

He adds: " We appreciate the co-operation of all law-abiding motorists during such opera-tions, which are conducted not for petty reasons but to deter serious crimes."