Operation Cubit Targets Abandoned Vehicles

Operation Cubit targeted Dover District from 7-11 March and removed 30 abandoned and untaxed vehicles from the streets of the district.

Operation Cubit is run in partnership across the county by Kent Police, Kent County Council, Kent District Councils, (including Dover District Council), Medway Unitary Authority, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, NSL (formerly the National Car Parking Service) and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Launched in 2001, the scheme continues to work across Kent districts, and has contributed to a significant fall in the number of abandoned and untaxed vehicles across the county.

Once removed from the streets, abandoned and untaxed vehicles are taken to a compound. Vehicles not claimed within the prescribed period (usually seven days) are destroyed. Vehicle owners have to pay a minimum of £100 fine and £160 surety to reclaim their vehicle or provide proof of a valid tax disc and pay the storage fee of £21 per day.

Cllr Nicholas Kenton, Dover District Council Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste and Planning, said: "Untaxed vehicles are often uninsured, have no MOT and are a danger to the public. Operation Cubit continues to be a great success, and we continue to work closely with partner agencies to remove these vehicles from our streets as quickly as possible."

Acting Inspector Guy Thompson from Kent Police said: "This multi agency initiative has been a great success, resulting in a number of untaxed vehicles being taken off the road. This is a clear warning to all motorists who choose not to tax, insure or MOT their vehicles. Kent Police will not hesitate in seizing any illegal vehicles for the safety of other road users."

To report an abandoned vehicle in Dover District call 01304 872428.