Eight people were arrested and more than 150 vehicles stopped in Bristol in an operation by police to target mobile criminals.

The eight were arrested for offences ranging from possession of cannabis to fraud and taking a vehicle without consent.

Officers seized 18 vehicles for offences such as having no insurance and driving while disqualified. One was even taken away after it was found to be running on red diesel.

Police also issued 45 fines for drivers having no MOT, no insurance and no tax.

The arrests and seizures were made on Wednesday as part of Operation Utah, in which more than 200 officers used ANPR – automatic number plate recognition – cameras to find suspect vehicles in areas of south Bristol including Winterstoke Road, Ashton.

DCI Nigel Woods said: "Utah was this week combined with a new initiative, Operation Buoy, which is specifically aimed at targeting street-level drug dealing. We have been pleased to gather a significant amount of intelligence and will continue to focus our efforts on addressing antisocial behaviour and drug-related crime across all Bristol neighbourhoods."

People with information concerning crime in their area can call 08454 567000.