POLICE used special technology to catch illegal drivers in a crackdown on car crime in Newport at the weekend.

They set up a device on Cardiff Road on Saturday that reads number plates in an attempt to match passing cars with stolen vehicles, cars being driven without licences or insurance, or other illegal vehicles.

The crackdown, called Operation Nifty by traffic police, will continue until tomorrow.

Inspector Chris Norman said: "It's the fourth operation of that name, and it's all to do with the automatic numberplate reader.

"We put it on the main roads in Newport, so on Saturday it was on Cardiff Road, and we're looking for people who are involved in vehicle crime, not just speeders.

"There were arrests made of disqualified drivers and that kind of thing, and the operation is ongoing until December 10.