More than 120 drivers believed to have been paying scammers hundreds of pounds to evade prosecution for road traffic offences have been caught by GMP with one Oldham address in particular identified as a hotspot for the scam.

Drivers and businesses suspected of paying criminals to escape prosecution for road traffic offences faced justice in front of Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ court last week.

A total of 126 drivers were hauled in court for failing to provide information, a breach of section 172 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, which carries a mandatory penalty of six points and a fine over £600.

Some individuals caught filing bogus forms to police had paid as much as £800 to criminals to use fake driver details to avoid being penalised and even disqualification.

One property in Oldham alone was used more than 100 times in the last two years for the scam, with 22 more addresses in the town also behind the offence.

Another property in Accrington is thought to have been implicated at least 50 times.

The Oldham Times: Chief Inspector, Ronnie Neilson (front centre) with staff at GMP's Central Ticket Office.Chief Inspector, Ronnie Neilson (front centre) with staff at GMP's Central Ticket Office.

Two men from Oldham, both in their 20s, were arrested by GMP on suspicion of perverting the course of justice as part of the town’s Operation Avro day of action in March.

The pair have been questioned in custody and currently remain under investigation pending a range of widespread and ongoing enquiries, with other suspects being sought across Greater Manchester and the country.

Of the total 126 drivers caught, 78 drivers admitted or were found guilty of the offence and 36 have been ordered to attend court for consideration or disqualification.

There are 48 cases, of which 15 are businesses, which will have a later case management court hearing, but also face a six-point penalty and fine.

GMP launched its operation into the so-called Notice of Impending Prosecution (NIP) Farms in early 2022 after noticing a rise in fake forms with fictitious driver’s names and driving licences as well as repeat addresses.

It is understood to be the first time that so many offences of this nature have been brought before the courts at such a large scale.

GMP said it is now warning other drivers against the scam and that the force remains “determined” to ensure drivers caught speeding or using a mobile phone face the necessary consequences “to prevent fatalities”.

The force added: “Any drivers found attempting to escape justice for their transgressions on the road – whether it be instances such as speeding, using a mobile phone, jumping a red light, or driving without due care – should expect a letter through the post with a court date for an offence that carries a much higher penalty”.

In 2021, 71 people died in a car crash in Greater Manchester.

The Oldham Times: GMP Central Ticket Office Manager Paul Rowe, Chief Inspector Neilson and Kathy Bailey (left to right).GMP Central Ticket Office Manager Paul Rowe, Chief Inspector Neilson and Kathy Bailey (left to right).

Paul Rowe, manager of the Central Ticket Office, said: “This is the first time that such large volumes of offences of this nature have ever been placed before the courts, and it shows our commitment in ensuring that anyone using this scam is found and handed nothing short of the mandatory six-point penalty.

“The staff in the GMP Central Ticket Office have worked tirelessly investigating the offences and have introduced a robust and nationwide-leading process which ensures all offenders who utilise NIP farms are brought to justice – and we are thankful to our local courts for assisting us with this.

“We’ve had drivers try and retrospectively hold their hands up in admitting the original offence, but we will not accept it; if you are found to be using this scam then expect a summons through the post, and if you’re running a NIP farm then know we are investigating you and you will be arrested.”

Chief Inspector Ronnie Neilson, of GMP’s Roads Policing Unit, added: “The work being done by our Central Ticket Office here in Greater Manchester is ground-breaking work into what is a nationwide scam, that is seeing us work closely with other forces to clamp down on unscrupulous individuals running these farms and stop offending drivers from continuing to try and cheat justice.”

Mr Neilson added that “too many drivers had lost the fear of enforcement” but pledged the roads and policing teams are cracking down on anyone “committing the four fatal acts of speeding, mobile phone use, drink/drug driving, and not wearing seatbelts.

“Criminals and drivers caught trying to benefit – financially or by escaping traffic convictions – from the NIP Farm scam will be particularly sought after and hauled before the courts in their dozens to face the consequences of trying to dodge the law and undermine the safety of Greater Manchester’s roads”.

GMP is now appealing for more information about NIP scams, whether in relation to criminals running the scams or drivers utilising them.

The force can be notified online via its LiveChat facility, quoting Operation Manheim, or by anonymously calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.