West Midlands Police has introduced a new police car in their ongoing efforts to crack down on uninsured driving across the region. This dual-branded vehicle was supplied by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), the organisation dedicated to tackling uninsured driving throughout the UK.
The additional car supports the collaboration between West Midlands Police and MIB, strengthening the force’s ability to identify and remove drivers without valid insurance from local roads. Special Constables, who are fully warranted volunteer officers with the same powers as regular officers, are authorised to stop and seize vehicles suspected of having no valid insurance. However, their capacity to act has been limited by the availability of suitable response vehicles.
To address this, MIB has provided a Toyota Corolla fitted with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology. This system cross-references vehicle number plates against Navigate, MIB’s central database of insured vehicles in the UK, enabling officers to swiftly identify and stop suspected uninsured drivers.
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West Midlands Police is the third force to receive such a dual-branded vehicle, following successful pilot programmes with Avon and Somerset and Staffordshire Police. These initiatives led to the removal of over 200 uninsured vehicles from the roads. The introduction of specially equipped cars has proven to offer clear operational advantages, allowing Special Constables to conduct more frequent and targeted enforcement actions against uninsured driving.
A formal handover ceremony for the vehicle took place on 12th August at West Midlands Police’s Road Crime Team base in Perry Barr. Following the ceremony, the car was deployed immediately on a local operation, assisting officers in seizing 21 uninsured vehicles and uncovering several secondary offences.
Uninsured driving remains a significant issue in the West Midlands, with 8,153 uninsured vehicles seized in 2024, rising to 9,260 in 2025. These figures highlight the continued necessity for dedicated resources to combat this dangerous offence. In addition to operating the new ANPR-equipped vehicle, West Midlands Police aim to improve on previous years’ seizure numbers through their active participation in the MIB-supported Operation Scalis initiative.
Operation Scalis empowers participating forces to dedicate officer time to addressing uninsured driving hotspots identified through data-driven insights, including insurance claims submitted to MIB.
Superintendent Jack Hadley, Head of Roads Policing at West Midlands Police, commented: “Keeping everyone safe on our roads and motorways is a priority for us, and this fantastic donation by MIB will be a great addition to our fleet. Many of our Special Constables have day jobs and, on top of that, they volunteer their spare time to reduce crime and keep our roads safe.
“Our ongoing partnership with MIB to reduce serious and fatal collisions is vital. This new vehicle will strengthen our collaboration further. Driving without insurance is reckless and dangerous, putting lives at risk every day. If you’re driving uninsured, you’re not just risking your car - you’re risking lives, your future, and your freedom. Think before getting behind the wheel.”
Hayley Sutcliffe, Law Enforcement Liaison Officer at MIB, said: “We’re incredibly proud to support West Midlands Special Constables with this dedicated ANPR-equipped vehicle, allowing them to better focus on reducing uninsured driving. These volunteers give up their own time to help make our roads safer, and having reliable access to this equipment will significantly enhance their ability to identify and remove uninsured vehicles.
“We hope the presence of this new car encourages drivers to act responsibly and double-check their insurance policies to ensure they have appropriate and valid cover. We look forward to the positive impact this vehicle will have on the local community and to continuing our strong partnership with West Midlands Police.”