ST HELENS has seen a big increase in the number of vehicles clamped by the DVLA this year.

The figures show that so far in 2024 there have been more than six times as many cases in the borough than in the whole of last year.

In St Helens, 24 vehicles were clamped in 2023, while 161 have been clamped in 2024.

By comparison, neighbouring Wigan saw 222 clamped in 2023 and 652 so far in 2024.

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The DVLA said the action has been taken as part of day-to-day enforcement activity by NSL, its national wheel-clamping partner.

Owners of untaxed lamped vehicles have 24 hours to pay a £100 fine or risk their motor being impounded.

After seven days of storage, vehicles can either be sold or destroyed, before being disposed of by auction, breaking or crushing.

If the vehicle has been moved, owners are advised to contact the police on 101 or call NSL to find out where it's been taken.

Owners can also pay a 'surety' deposit if they don't tax the vehicle before it gets released.

This can cost £160 for cars or motorcycles and up to £700 for other vehicles.

Vehicles can be clamped for having no taxation in a public road, even if it is declared as having a statutory off-road notification (Sorn), or not in a public road if it has not been declared Sorn.

A DVLA spokesperson said: “Whilst over 98 per cent of vehicles on the road are taxed correctly, DVLA is committed to tackling untaxed vehicles.

“We have a range of enforcement measures including fines and penalties and are working hard with our national wheel-clamping partner to clamp untaxed vehicles.

“It is easy for drivers to pay their vehicle tax, including using our quick and accessible online services or spread the cost using Direct Debit.”