Commuters reported traffic chaos this morning as police stopped motorists on a busy road in rush hour.

Police officers confirmed they had been spot-checking drivers in Morden Road, Morden, this morning and it was inevitable some traffic build-up would occur.

Some drivers said traffic was backed up to St Helier off St Helier Avenue as officers pulled-over vehicles to check if the driver’s insurance was up-to-date.

A spokesman said officers were seizing uninsured vehicles as part of a London-wide operation called Operation Cubo.

The spokesman said: "It causes traffic problems in some cases.

"We have to do it on busy roads."

The police regularly seize uninsured cars and vans.

From April until the end of November, 182 uninsured vehicles were seized and removed from the roads by officers in Merton.

From April last year to March this year 366 uninsured vehicles were seized and removed from the roads by officers in Merton.

Uninsured vehicles are immediately seized and potentially destroyed, whilst offenders will be prosecuted.

The spokesman said under Operation Cubo, arrests have been made for a range of offences including rape, possession of illegal firearms, money laundering and drugs.

Firearms, other weapons and large quantities of cash and drugs have also been recovered.