POLICE in Pontypool seized 24 vehicles and made five arrests in just one day as part of an operation to crack down on vehicle crime.

More than 80 vehicles were stopped in the operation on the A4043 between Abersychan and Blaenavon.

The town's neighbourhood policing team joined Gwent Police's ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) team and the DVLA as part of Operation Debar, the month-long forcewide crackdown on vehicle crime.

The operation aims to target illegal drivers, for example those who drive whilst disqualified, without a licence, insurance or MOT, or have committed other offences that can be dealt with by way of a fixed penalty notice.

Six vehicles fitted with ANPR equipment were stationed on the road.

Nineteen untaxed vehicles were seized, along with a further five that had no insurance or licence, and were taken away by the DVLA.

A 19-year-old man from Trevethin was arrested and charged with three counts of theft and sent to the magistrates court.

Three people were arrested for failure to pay fines and referred to the magistrates court.

One 28-year-old man from Cwmbran was arrested and cautioned for possession of drugs.

A further five people were reported to the DVLA for licence and insurance offences, and police issued eight fixed penalty notices for minor road traffic offences.

Sergeant Huw Jones of Gwent Police's road policing (ANPR) department, lead the operation.

He said: "These results demonstrate the great effect an operation of this nature can have in just one day in one location. We are confident that these results will contribute to a very successful force-wide operation."

Sergeant Mike Pheasant of Pontypool neighbourhood policing team, said: "Working with the ANPR team adds another dimension to the operation because of the local knowledge and intelligence we have about the communities we serve."