A POLICE initiative to deter fraudulent car insurance activity has seen more than 300 policies cancelled in just over a year.

North Wales Police’s Operation Confine targets motorists who commit 'application fraud' by failing to disclose unspent driving or criminal convictions to their insurance companies.

There were 302 such offences uncovered by the force's Roads Policing Unit over the last year.

Temporary chief inspector Dave Cust said “in a majority of cases” policy cancellation is enough, while repeat offenders can face prosecution, custodial sentences and driving disqualification. There are currently 11 convictions in court under Operation Confine.

“Fraud is not a victimless crime and false claims are felt by everyone, especially when paying higher insurance premiums,” Mr Cust said.

“We will continue to use all available powers to clamp down on this type of criminality and hammer home to anyone thinking of making a false application that it won’t be tolerated.”