A POLICE sweep has seen five suspect vehicles impounded and four people arrested.

The day-long blitz in Neath and Glynneath was part of an ongoing operation to deny criminals the use of the road.

Neighbourhood policing officers teamed up with the roads policing unit and the automatic number plate recognition team.

HM Revenue and Customs officials were also present to test vehicles suspected of being run on red diesel, a reduced-tax fuel dyed red to discourage general use and provide easy identification to authorities suspecting illegal use.

"Officers checked the number plates of passing cars, searching intelligence databases which highlight vehicles and individuals suspected of committing crime or wanted on warrant, and vehicles used by disqualified drivers," said a police spokesman. "If a suspicious vehicle was identified by ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition), supporting police vehicles intercepted to carry out checks."

The operation was held at High Street in Glynneath and on the link road between the A465 interchange and Stockham's Corner. In total, there were four arrests for theft, motoring offences, possession of cannabis and a breach of a warrant.

Nine motorists were given fixed penalty notices for not wearing a seatbelt, while five vehicles were seized for various offences such as no insurance.

A woman arrested on suspicion of theft of fuel resulted in HM Revenue and Customs staff checking further vehicles at her home address, which led to them issuing fines of £1,500 for using red diesel.

Neath Valley neighbourhood sergeant Geraint Jenkins said: "This latest operation was part of our wider campaign to tackle crime. The capability of ANPR technology allows us to check thousands of number plates every hour against intelligence databases.

"Combining all of this intelligence helps us deny criminals the use of the roads in the area. By joining forces with Revenues and Customs we can target those who we suspect of being involved in the use of red diesel in vehicles."