Thames Valley Police carried out a major operation in Milton Keynes on 11 December, seizing multiple uninsured vehicles in partnership with MIB (Motor Insurers’ Bureau). The crackdown took place in MIB’s home city, tackling uninsured driving to improve road safety as part of Operation Scalis.

Milton Keynes is the home of MIB, the UK’s not‑for‑profit organisation that has been dedicated to reducing uninsured driving and compensating victims for almost 80 years. MIB’s base employs hundreds of staff from Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas, who work to support victims of uninsured and hit‑and‑run drivers, alongside driving efforts to reduce the number of uninsured vehicles on UK roads.

The operation showcased how MIB directly contributes to safer roads locally and nationally. Uninsured driving remains a serious issue nationwide. Every 20 minutes, someone in the UK is impacted by an uninsured or hit‑and‑run driver, with one person each day suffering life‑altering injuries. The problem costs the UK economy an estimated £1bn annually. Uninsured vehicles are also frequently linked to wider criminal activity such as drug running, drink‑driving, speeding and money laundering.

Alongside the six vehicles seized for uninsured driving, the coordinated enforcement uncovered further offences, including a serious incident of drug driving and vehicles being driven without tax or a valid MOT.

Thames Valley Police have seized 4,142 uninsured vehicles between January and November this year, a 15% increase on the same period for 2024. Last week’s day of action was part of Operation Scalis, a wider initiative that the force has run across 2025 in partnership with MIB to boost the number of uninsured vehicles taken off the road. The initiative brings together roads policing teams and utilises ANPR technology to identify uninsured vehicles before intercepting them in known regional hotspots.

During the Milton Keynes operation, officers were supported at the roadside by MIB officials. They provided a direct link to Navigate, the central database of all active motor insurance policies that’s run by MIB, to identify and intercept offenders. They also utilised Operation Tutelage markers, which compares vehicles captured on ANPR cameras against Navigate data to flag uninsured cars for immediate roadside action.

Uninsured drivers face a £300 fixed penalty notice, six points on their licence, and the risk of their vehicle being crushed. If prosecuted in court, offenders may receive an unlimited fine and even a driving ban. Being caught driving uninsured can affect every part of a person’s life, from losing independence and the ability to care for dependents, to damaging job prospects as a conviction appears on background checks.

As well as working to end uninsured driving, MIB educates motorists on how to avoid insurance mistakes and remain compliant. Common errors worth double‑checking include:

• Forgotten when your insurance expires? Check your renewal date today.
• Assumed your policy auto-renews? Not all do, and expired payment cards can cause lapses.
• Is your vehicle off the road? Make sure it’s declared SORN with the DVLA.
• Thought fully comprehensive cover lets you drive someone else’s car? It often doesn’t - check your policy first for coverage and any restrictions.
• Using your car for work or deliveries on a social-only policy? You’ll likely need commuting, business or hire-and-reward cover

Martin Saunders, Head of Uninsured Driving Prevention at MIB said: “As Milton Keynes is the home and base of MIB, we are proud to see our local force at the forefront of tackling uninsured driving. From our headquarters, we help provide the intelligence and support that enables police forces across the UK to take decisive action against uninsured drivers.

“Working alongside Thames Valley Police carries special significance, but we value all joint operations with UK police forces. These initiatives demonstrate how collaboration can deliver significant impact. Operations like these are vital in improving road safety, disrupting criminal activity, and ensuring that well‑meaning drivers do not end up uninsured through simple mistakes.”

PC Doug Murphy from Thames Valley Police’s Roads Policing Tasking Team said: “Operation Scalis is a proactive ANPR initiative across Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire, focused on identifying and targeting uninsured vehicles and drivers. This enforcement enhances road safety and reduces the financial impact on law-abiding motorists in the Thames Valley.

“Alongside the vehicles that are seized for no insurance, the additional criminality we identified through this operation shows how important it is for the force to be using this kind of robust action. While not all road users are criminals, all criminals use the roads.”

To learn how to stay compliant and drive insured, visit www.mib.org.uk/DriveInsured