A van driver fled the scene of a traffic stop in Wolverhampton, abandoning his girlfriend and a small baby inside the vehicle, West Midlands Police have confirmed.
The incident unfolded when the force’s C Team – ANPR Interceptors identified a suspicious van believed to be using cloned plates. Officers pulled the vehicle over, but the driver quickly ran from the scene on foot, leaving his partner and child behind.
Further checks revealed the van had no insurance, tax, or valid MOT. The driver, who has no valid driving licence, was later reported for multiple motoring offences.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police Traffic Unit said:
“This cloned van was stopped in Wolverhampton after being picked up by our ANPR systems. The driver ran, leaving his girlfriend and a small baby inside the van. He had no licence, no insurance, no tax, and no MOT.”
Officers confirmed that the driver’s actions have triggered a referral to local children’s safeguarding services due to the potential risk posed to the child.
The man is being sought for further questioning. The incident has sparked concern among residents online, with many calling the driver’s actions “reckless” and “irresponsible.”
West Midlands Police have reiterated their commitment to using ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) technology to target illegal and dangerous drivers across the region.
