GREATER Manchester Police arrested 23 people as part of a week-long operation targeting foreign national offenders who use the roads – with two apprehended suspects being wanted for robbery offences.

Officers also seized 96 foreign registered vehicles between Monday 20 and Friday October 24, 75 for not being taxed, and the remainder for having no licence or insurance.

In addition, 26 traffic offence reports were issued, and 17 vehicles were found to have activated speed cameras, one vehicle on five occasions.

Further enquiries are now being made to prosecute the drivers.

Sergeant Garry Lyle of GMP’s traffic enforcement unit said: “During the operation, officers worked tirelessly across the region stopping drivers and asking them when they had entered the country, and why there vehicles weren’t registered in the UK.

“A lot of time was also spent checking insurance details and vehicles that had activated speed cameras. “The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency and HM Customs provided vital assistance and intelligence too, and the Department for Work and Pensions has been informed of a number of cases where those stopped may have been illegally claiming benefits.

"In summary, this was a successful operation which achieved what it set out to do.”