Three cars were seized within 24 hours in the Devizes and Pewsey area after police officers found that they were being used on public roads with red diesel.

Red diesel is used in agricultural and other vehicles and is illegal for use in normal road vehicles. Red diesel has a significantly reduced tax levy, 10.9p a litre, than undyed diesel, at 57.19p a litre.

On the same day, July 13, Police Community Support Officer Joanne Atkinson stopped a Rover car in Bulford, PC Rob Hodges stopped a Ford Transit van in London Road, Devizes, and Sgt Chris Moore stopped a Ford Escort in the Pewsey area.

All of the vehicles, which were unconnected, were found to have been filled up with red diesel.

All the owners were fined in the region of £500 and faced a hefty charge to recover their cars. All decided against reclaiming them so they will be crushed.

Acting Inspector Andy Peach, of Devizes and Marlborough Police, said: “It was a good piece of intuitive policing by PCSO Atkinson, PC Hodges and Sgt Moore. Their joint efforts have resulted in taking three illegal vehicles off the highway.”