Nationwide motor scam uncovered in Greater Manchester

Two men were arrested during the raids

A nationwide motoring scam has been uncovered by police carrying out raids across Greater Manchester.

Two men were arrested in connection to the network, which has seen hundreds of motorists avoiding more than 2,000 penalty points and £40,000 in fines.

Police officers raided 11 homes in Tameside and Gorton, seizing computers and documents.

The detained men, both aged 39, have been arrested and are currently being questioned.

The scam centres on people who have avoided convictions for motoring offences - including bans - by making false nominations or causing false information to be provided to police on their behalf.

'Today it stops'

Police said 566 false nominations have come from within the Greater Manchester area with only 70 false nominations being detected in other force areas across the country.

Officers now have access to records of hundreds of motorists up and down the country who have taken part in the scam.

Sgt Mark Beales said: "This scam has spread the length and breadth of the country and had we not taken the decisive action we have done today, and will be doing in the coming weeks, it could have massively undermined the road safety system.

"Some motorists have been driving without fear of prosecution and with absolutely no regard for the rules of the road. Today it stops.

"Driving laws are not in place to penalise drivers. They are intended to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians and must be upheld."