Operation Steerside

Whilst working in the West Yorkshire Police - Bradford South area alongside the local Neighbourhood Policing Team and our Specialist Support Group, we spotted that this BMW was not displaying a front registration plate (sigh). Then (bigger sigh) we spotted that the driver was not wearing a seatbelt. Then (even bigger sigh) we discovered that the vehicle had been without a valid vehicle excise licence since December 2025.

Claims that the vehicle was being used in connection with the motor trade carried no weight at all given that there were no trade plates being displayed and so the vehicle was seized on behalf of Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. The driver was reported for the road traffic offences.

We stopped the driver of this Vauxhall on Great Horton Road, West Yorkshire Police - Bradford West for a routine document check.

The driver told us he had recently taken out temporary insurance cover — just a couple of hours earlier.

Despite this, it took quite some time to produce any proof. Both the driver and passenger were very busy scrolling through their phones trying to “find” the policy.
At one point, we even said:

👉 “Please don’t show us a fraudulent policy.”

Eventually… that’s exactly what we were shown. The document provided was not genuine.

Vehicle seized, driver reported for no insurance and both now face criminal charges in relation to the documentation.

Drive Insured Tutelage Vision Zero - West Yorkshire

As this genuine Mercedes-Benz AMG passed by on Great Horton Road West Yorkshire Police - Bradford West, something caught our eye… a letter had fallen off its super‑stylish “4D number plate”.

Oh no!

While these plates might look good (to some 🤮), they often don’t meet legal standards — and in this case, it quite literally failed to stick to the plate… or the law.

We stopped the driver to offer some friendly advice regarding their number plate.
However, things quickly escalated. It turned out their “insurance” fell into the same category as the plate; it looked convincing at first glance, but had zero integrity… because it was fake.

A missing letter is one thing. Driving without valid insurance is something else entirely.

Driver reported to court, vehicle seized.

Drive Insured Tutelage Vision Zero - West Yorkshire

Following reports of a vehicle being driven erratically in Barkerend Road West Yorkshire Police - Bradford East, we sighting this TOYOTA in a local car park. On stopping it, there was evidence of the driver having used nitrous oxide. Not only that, but he was also not insured to be driving the vehicle.

Vehicle seized, driver reported to court for the driving & drugs offences, and the remaining nitrous oxide was also seized.

Drive Insured Tutelage Vision Zero - West Yorkshire

Whilst patrolling West Yorkshire Police - Bradford West we came across this Porsche displaying expired trade plates. Unsurprisingly, in those circumstances, it was also without a valid vehicle excise licence.

Seized on behalf of Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

Great work from our Roads Policing Unit colleagues in West Yorkshire Police - Bradford East.

Purple was clearly the in colour for illegal vehicle use over the weekend… although the drivers themselves were probably feeling a bit more blue when their vehicles were seized.

A reminder that while trends come and go, the rules of the road don’t.

Drive Insured Tutelage Vision Zero - West Yorkshire

Bradford District are continuing to offer innovative Safer Driving Sessions in which support the Vision Zero Initiative.

Each session is divided into key sections addressing common road safety concerns in Bradford, and anti-social vehicle use particularly in urban and suburban areas. We will highlight statistics, provide practical safety tips, and involve community engagement to encourage safer behaviours on the roads.

🔶Understand Vision Zero– explain the principles of vision zero and its goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

🔶Recognise Road Safety challenges in West Yorkshire– Identify key risks and factors contributing to road incidents in the region.

🔶Analyse data and trends– interpret local road safety statistics and understand how Vision Zero policies aim to improve safety.

🔶Explore solutions and strategies– Discuss infrastructure, enforcement, education and policy changes designed to reduce accidents.

🔶Promote safer road use– describe individual and community actions that contribute to achieving Vision Zero.

To find out more and book a place, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/81274697103?_gl=1*1jkyb7w*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTQ2ODQzNDYxNS4xNzc5OTYwNTE1*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*czE3Nzk5NjA1MTMkbzEkZzAkdDE3Nzk5NjA1MTMkajYwJGwwJGgw&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Vision Zero - West Yorkshire West Yorkshire Police - Bradford East West Yorkshire Police - Bradford City West Yorkshire Police - Keighley West Yorkshire Police - Shipley West Yorkshire Police - Bradford South West Yorkshire Police - Bradford West Bradford Council

The Spirit of Ecstasy was not too impressed with her driver when this Rolls-Royce Ghost was stopped on Summerville Road West Yorkshire Police - Bradford West when he claimed to be driving on 3rd party cover. She was probably even less impressed when he tried to pass himself off as someone else. Unfortunately for him, Steerside cops have seen all this before and to no-one's surprise at all the end result was that the driver was not insured at all. Vehicle seized and driver reported for the offences.

Drive Insured Tutelage Vision Zero - West Yorkshire

This TOYOTA was seen being driven on Great Horton Road West Yorkshire Police - Bradford West with a driver who appeared much younger than the insured party. Once stopped, the driver made several attempts to explain how they were insured including a particularly ridiculous suggestion that they had paid for a policy online by cash involving a courier. Clearly not a genuine means of obtaining insurance cover. Vehicle seized and driver reported to court. The pedal cycle is absolutely nothing to do with the incident; merely an overly interested member of the public!

Drive Insured Tutelage Vision Zero - West Yorkshire

We observed a male driving this Volkswagen on Little Horton Green West Yorkshire Police - Bradford West despite the insurance policy being for a female only. Stopped, and the driver was indeed confirmed as being uninsured.

Vehicle seized and driver reported to court.

Drive Insured Tutelage Vision Zero - West Yorkshire