Greater Manchester Police crackdown on criminal drivers
Police stopped 627 vehicles and made 23 arrests in a 12-hour crackdown on criminals using Greater Manchester's roads to conduct illegal activities.
More than 160 officers used number plate recognition cameras to detect vehicles being driven illegally.
The arrests were for burglary, vehicle theft, metal theft and drugs-related offences.
Officers seized 49 cars being driven without road tax or insurance, and 290 fixed penalty notices were issued.
A further 269 drivers were pulled over to receive advice for other offences.
Supt Craig Thompson said patrols would continue throughout the year.
He added: "Criminals tend not to be over concerned about ensuring their vehicles are insured and taxed.
"Many are also unroadworthy and pose a real danger to other road users.
"By targeting them in this way we are able to get them off the roads, make our highways safer for everyone and make it harder for offenders to commit crime."