Road tax dodgers have been warned to get their cars taxed.

Sussex Police joined forces with the DVLA, Chichester and Arun District Councils, West Sussex County Council and West Sussex Fire Brigade to crack down on an estimated 6,300 untaxed vehicles in West Sussex.

Operation Vanquish will see untaxed vehicles in Midhurst, Chichester and Bognor clamped on the spot.

Owners will have to pay £200 for their cars to be released.

After 24 hours the vehicle will be towed away.

The owner will have to pay £280 to get it back, with an additional charge of £15 for every day it remains in storage.

After 35 days it will be crushed.

Inspector Ali Darge said: "We estimate there are about 2,800 untaxed vehicles in Chichester district and 3,500 in Arun district.

"All too often untaxed cars also have no insurance and are quite often unregistered to the current keeper. Very often they have other defects which make them hazardous on the road."

The squads will be making roadside checks and scouring estates.

Mr Darge said: "Abandoned vehicles are generally untaxed and can make a neighbourhood look very unsightly.

"We are already having a massive impact on dealing with abandoned vehicles through Operation Crackdown, which has been running in the Chichester and Arun districts for seven months."