Number plate checks for offenders

Up to 3,600 number plates can be checked each hour

Police in Tayside are on a six-day offensive against travelling criminals, illegal drivers and dangerous vehicles.

Officers on Operation Bandit are using Automatic Number Plate Recognition equipment to detect offenders.

The cameras can tell police in a matter of seconds whether a vehicle has been stolen, used in a crime or does not have proper documentation.

They can check 3,600 number plates an hour and by lunchtime on Monday police had already seized two vehicles.

Operation Bandit will run until Saturday.

Insp Gordon Milne said: "Our officers will undertake roadside checks on vehicles for roadworthiness, documentation and, where required, to ensure they not using illegal fuel.

"Where appropriate we will use available powers to seize vehicles and remove them from the roads.

"Officers will also carry out checks and searches, where we have reason to suspect a vehicle is carrying stolen property or drugs and will arrest anyone committing a crime or who is wanted on warrant."