Thames Valley Police’s Roads Policing Unit launches Operation Scalis

This is an initiative tackling uninsured drivers on roads through targeted ANPR operations.

Operation Scalis is a collaborative initiative involving local neighbourhood teams and roads policing teams to use ANPR technology to identify markers on vehicles and intercept them. The primary targets are uninsured vehicles, but any additional criminal activity discovered is also addressed. 

Working alongside the MIB (Motor Insurers’ Bureau), who funded the operation, officers could dedicate time to identifying and seizing uninsured vehicles. MIB exists to protect people from the devastation of uninsured and hit-and-run drivers and enabled a number of days of dedicated operations over the past six months.

In addition, MIB provided data insights into uninsured driving hotspots across the Thames Valley Policing area, enabling the force to target their efforts using the data provided.

Driving uninsured can have severe consequences. Whilst many people assume there is just a fine, the breadth and longevity of consequences are in fact bigger. These include:

• £300 fine (Fixed Penalty Notice)
• Six points on your licence - for many young drivers, this means automatic disqualification
• Vehicle seized and potentially crushed
• Court referral, resulting in an unlimited fine and a driving ban
• Driving convictions can show in background checks, impacting job prospects

All result in a loss of independence and an impact on any caring responsibilities such as unable to take children to school or take elderly parents to medical appointments.

Over the last six months, TVP have seized 173 vehicles for no insurance, 105 vehicles for no tax and 49 vehicles from people without a driving license. In addition to this they have:

• Arrested 69 people for a number of offences including drug driving, drink driving, outstanding warrants, failure to attend court, shoplifting, possession with intent to supply class A drugs and immigration offences.
• Issued 96 tickets for seat belt offences and no MOTs.
• Issued 254 tickets for people speeding, using their phone while driving and driving carelessly.

Simon French, Law Enforcement Liaison Officer at MIB, said: “We know that all priorities are pressing for our police colleagues. However, by supporting Thames Valley Police in designating time to focus on uninsured driving, we know the benefits will be widely felt across all different areas of the force and the community, making roads safer. 

“Tackling this issue together isn’t just about getting people to pay premiums – it’s about increasing safety for all road users. Our message is simple: There is nowhere to hide. Drive with adequate insurance, or you will be caught.”

PC Doug Murphy from Thames Valley Police’s Roads Policing Tasking Team said, “Operation Scalis is a proactive ANPR initiative across Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire, focused on identifying and targeting uninsured vehicles and drivers.

“This enforcement enhances road safety and reduces the financial impact on law-abiding motorists in the Thames Valley.

“Alongside the vehicles that are seized for no insurance, the additional criminality we identified through this operation shows how important it is for the force to be using this kind of robust action.  

“While not all road users are criminals, all criminals use the roads.”

If you would like to check your vehicle is showing as insured, you can do this via the MIB website - Check your vehicle - Navigate. (external site)