THE council is cracking down on those who abandon vehicles in Bournemouth.

Officials have been granted new powers from the DVLA to deal with untaxed vehicles dumped in the borough.

Under the legislation, the council can remove illegal vehicles from the highway. Those causing an obstruction or posing a danger to other road users will be moved as a priority.

The authority is authorised by the DVLA to take enforcement action against untaxed vehicles.

Cars examined and found to be untaxed for more than two months and a day will be clamped and removed from the highway.

Owners can reclaim impounded vehicles by paying a release fee within a set timescale. Motorists must also meet criteria ensuring a vehicle is road legal.

Unclaimed cars can be destroyed.

During an operation last year, 12 untaxed and abandoned vehicles were clamped in St Clement's Road, Borthwick Road and Churchill Road in Boscombe.

Stickers left on windscreens of the cars read: "Stop: Do not attempt to move this untaxed vehicle.

"It is an offence to interfere with the wheel clamp. It is an offence to remove this notice."

Further afield, 26 vehicles were clamped in New Milton. Motorists were charged £100 to have the clamp removed.

Currently, the DVLA can send out late licensing penalties if tax is not paid on time, Automatic number plate recognition can also pick up offending vehicles.

Councillor Mike Greene, cabinet member for transport, said dumping a car can be dangerous.

“Untaxed and abandoned vehicles are not only a nuisance and an eyesore, but often cause a danger or a hindrance to other motorists," he said.

"We ask that all vehicle owners maintain, tax and park their vehicles responsibly, particularly on the public highway, to avoid enforcement action that could ultimately result in the vehicle being destroyed.

"These new powers from the DVLA will enable untaxed vehicles to be dealt with consistently and promptly.“

Vehicles deemed insecure, dangerous or abandoned will now be subject to council enforcement, even if they have a valid tax and MOT.

Cllr Greene said the operation of new enforcement is likely to be "cost neutral" to the council.