Pictures and video: Police crackdown on drivers in Shropshire

But thanks to technology and keen-eyed officers, police have been able to clamp down on criminals driving without tax, insurance, or those risking dangerous faults.

More than 200 police officers took to the roads yesterday to target criminals travelling across Shropshire and neighbour counties.

Operation Crossbow saw police from Shropshire join forces with officers from Cheshire, Staffordshire and Greater Manchester and Derbyshire target criminals travelling across the counties' borders.

By 5pm, teams based just off the A41 near Whitchurch had stopped 31 vehicles, seized two, given one immediate prohibition and handed out a number of advisory warnings to drivers.

Chief Inspector Jennie Mattinson from West Mercia and Warwickshire Police said: "Working alongside Cheshire Police and a number of other forces and partner agencies, we have taken action against travelling criminals in Shropshire, through a coordinated and robust police response.

"We want to show criminals that there is nowhere to hide, and by sharing our resources we are able to identify and take action against those involved in a range of criminality."

By using unmarked vehicles and number plate recognition cameras, police have been able to spot and pull over cars suspected of being used for driving offences.

Briefing officers, Chief Inspector Mattinson said: "The overriding message is to make a significant contribution to protect communities from harm."

Police pulled over a number of vehicles at their designated stop site and inspected them for good condition, legal fuel, tax and insurance.

Not long into the operation, which kicked off at 2pm, the driver of a silver Ford Fiesta was told he must change the wheel after police found a stud missing.

Officers then found the driver was untaxed and the vehicle was seized by police with the driver left to find another way home.

A second car, a blue Clio, was found with no insurance or tax and was also seized.

While those drivers may have been disappointed to be caught out by police, most that were pulled over understood the efforts behind the operation.

Parvinder Sanghha, from Wolverhampton, was pulled over because police spotted a large crack across his windscreen.

He said: "I think it is a good idea. As long as they are pulling over the right people then it is a good thing.

"We are insured and everything is legal, so it is good and I don't mind getting pulled over."

Mr Sangha was given a warning and told to get his windscreen fixed as soon as possible.

He added: "It means people will get these things sorted sooner rather than later."

While insurance and licence checks can be detected through Automatic Number Plate Recognition along with checks if any criminal marker is on the car, some things have to be done the old-fashioned way.

Nick Stafford, forensic collision investigator, checked vehicles for an illegal type of fuel, siphoning and testing the diesel.

"Red diesel is often used as a very cheap alternative for normal fuel. It is about a quarter of the price," he said.

Teams checked fuel tanks looking for the red diesel while others checked taxi licenses and tachographs showing how long HGV drivers had been on the road.

Inspector Stuart York from Cheshire Police, said: "This is one of the largest partnership operations Cheshire Police has ever undertaken, with more than 200 officers taking part.

"We are using dedicated resources and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to identify and target criminals using the road network and it is heartening to see our partners, which include Driver Vehicles Standards, the Environment Agency, HMRC, the Licensing Authority and Trading Standards, supporting this extensive police operation.

"The message is clear – you use stolen vehicles, you drive illegally, you travel the roads to commit crime, then we will target you."

To report illegal use of vehicles contact police on 101. Alternatively information can be reported anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers.org.uk