TOUGH new measures are coming into force to tackle the blight of abandoned cars littering the streets.

The assembly has backed legislation slashing amount of notice needed before police remove vehicles, from seven days to 24 hours.

The notice required for vehicles in such a condition that they should be destroyed is reduced from seven days to 24 hours, while for all other vehicles the disposal notice is reduced from 21 days to seven days.

Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside, Carwyn Jones, said: "Abandoned vehicles are a blight on our neighbourhoods and are arson cases waiting to happen. Local authorities and police will now have the power to remove many abandoned vehicles after 24 hours, rather than having to wait seven days as before. This legislation has the full backing of the Arson Reduction Initiative in the three Fire Service regions of Wales."

Anyone who has an unwanted vehicle they wish to dispose of should contact their local authority for advice. Similarly, anyone spotting a vehicle they suspect has been abandoned should also contact their local authority.