Eighty-seven banned drivers were arrested in a successful month-long crackdown by Thames Valley Police.

The drivers, including 17 in Oxfordshire, were targeted by officers using information from more than 30 calls made to the Thames Valley Crimestoppers hotline and through the traffic department's intelligence strategy and offender database.

The initiative was held in the wake of force data suggesting 40 per cent of the 7,000 disqualified drivers in the region still drove on a regular basis.

There was a substantial increase in arrests compared with similar campaigns conducted in March and October last year, which pulled in 51 and 50 offenders respectively.

Officers believe it proves the department's intelligence-led approach is beginning to have a significant impact on its effectiveness. Insp Dave Hartin, head of the force's traffic intelligence and operations unit, said: "Disqualified drivers are a danger to law-abiding road users and have no insurance. If they have an accident involving an innocent member of the public, that person has no redress to claim against theml.

"Home Office research shows that 72 per cent of disqualified drivers have previous convictions for mainstream offences, such as burglary, theft, drugs and violence. Offenders, such as burglars or drug dealers, often need to use a vehicle to carry out their unscrupulous activities."

Officers are still investigating information from calls and it is likely more banned drivers will be arrested.