ROAD tax cheats in Southampton beware - you could be paying the ultimate "flat rate" for not displaying a disc on your windscreen.

A major new campaign in the city, backed by the city council, the police and DVLA, aims to clear Southampton's streets of abandoned vehicles - and to clamp down on road tax dodgers.

With an estimated 11,200 unlicensed vehicles in the city and 1,478 reported abandoned between April and September this year, the city council decided to step up its successful Clean Sweep operation.

The DVLA has backed the initiative with a payment of £100,000 - and today they launched it in front of a pyramid of 500 crushed cars at the St Mary's car pound in St Mary's Road.

Head of enforcement for the DVLA, Haydn Madoc, said: "There is now no hiding place for those who think they are beyond the law.

"Law-abiding motorists have nothing to fear from this clampdown but road tax cheats should beware, as they could end up carless, penniless and find it more trouble than its worth."

Councillor Richard Williams, executive member for environment and transport, said: "Abandoned vehicles are a hazard to road users and look unsightly.

"We aim to make South Hampshire a centre for excellence for this type of operation."

DVLA hit squads will be patrolling the city from October 9 for a two-week period to clamp cars without valid road tax discs.

The cost to have the clamp removed is £68 for immediate release, rising up to £500 after 35 days.

Any vehicles that are not claimed will eventually be crushed - and even those who decide to have their cars destroyed rather than pay to have their vehicle released and taxed will have to pay back-duty owed or face court action.

"We are very keen to give this clampdown our full support because there are some very important road safety issues that can also be addressed," said Inspector Peter Hughes.

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