Glastonbury 2025: police share work targeting uninsured driving
Over two days, they teamed up with those at the Motor Insurers' Bureau for the operation
Avon and Somerset Police have been sharing more about their work during this year's Glastonbury Festival.
Over two days, they teamed up with those at the Motor Insurers' Bureau for an operation targeting uninsured driving – timed for the busiest arrival and departure days to protect both festivalgoers and our local communities.
During this period, we're told that 21 vehicles were seized for being uninsured or inadequately covered.
'A clear message'
Roads Policing Inspector Matt Boiles said: “Our ongoing partnership with MIB ensures we can focus our efforts where they’re most effective, making a real impact in reducing the number of uninsured vehicles on the roads every day. High-profile opportunities like Glastonbury send a clear message to those who choose to break the law - you will be identified, and your vehicle will be seized, no matter where you are.”
'Events like Glastonbury gives us the chance to educate those who are unaware'
Martin Saunders, Head of Uninsured Driving Prevention at MIB said: “Uninsured driving is a problem every day of the year. Utilising events like Glastonbury, where there is a large influx of vehicles, allows us to not only target those who choose to drive uninsured, but provides us with an opportunity to educate those who are unaware.
"We urge all motorists to check their insurance policy is in place, is appropriate for their needs and to reach out to their insurer if they are unsure on any part of their policy – we don’t want any driver to become uninsured in the first place.
“We will continue to work with Avon and Somerset Police year-round to make sure that those choosing to drive uninsured have nowhere to hide.”
They also spotted a range of other offences
During suspected uninsured vehicle stops, police also detected a range of other offences, including:
- Stolen vehicles
- Drivers who had been disqualified, had expired licences, or were attempting to use altered documents
- Three vehicles with fraudulent numberplates
- Ten vehicles being driven without a valid MOT and 11 without having paid road tax
While many of the drivers whose vehicles were seized during the operation are believed to have knowingly flouted the law, common and often innocent mistakes like bounced payments, failed auto-renewals, typos in registration numbers or even purchasing the wrong class-of-use can leave you unknowingly uninsured. It’s never worth the risk.
You are urged to check your insurance status online here.