Middlesbrough streets 'blighted' by abandoned vehicles

A burnt out caravan was removed from the street

A crackdown has been launched on the "blight" of abandoned and untaxed vehicles in a town's streets.

Middlesbrough Council has seized and removed a number of offending vehicles across the town in recent days.

A burnt-out caravan, three untaxed cars and a trailer full of dumped soil were among the vehicles that were hauled away.

They can "become magnets for anti-social behaviour", the council's Dale Metcalfe said.

"Untaxed and abandoned vehicles can blight a neighbourhood".

The council said three untaxed cars had been found in Wicklow Street and Holt Close, Newport.

Untaxed cars were removed from Middlesbrough's streets

Additionally, two caravans - one of which had been severely damaged by fire - were found in Punch Street, Cannon Park.

Mr Metcalfe said he hoped publishing pictures of the problem vehicles would help encourage people to continue reporting the nuisance.

He said: "This was absolutely outstanding work by the team, and all those who assisted them in doing such a professional job."

It comes just weeks after the council removed two tonnes of fly-tipped waste as part of a crackdown on the crime.

Officers said a "staggering" amount of household waste and furniture had been abandoned behind Kensington Road.