MORE than 1,500 motorists were caught breaking the law during a series of days of action across Cambridgeshire. It is incredibly disappointing to find so many motorists committing offences across the county, said Chief Inspector Mike Winters, of the roa

MORE than 1,500 motorists were caught breaking the law during a series of days of action across Cambridgeshire.

"It is incredibly disappointing to find so many motorists committing offences across the county," said Chief Inspector Mike Winters, of the roads policing unit, which led the Operation Anglian action days.

"In the equivalent of 17 days we have identified more than 1,500 motorists committing offences."

Operation Anglian ran from January until March and saw days of action in Cambridge, Peterborough, Fenland and Huntingdonshire.

Officers from the roads policing unit were joined by neighbourhood policing teams and representatives from partner agencies in the operations to tackle road offences.

The operations were as a result of additional funding from the Cambridgeshire Road Safety partnership, and part of the force's work to reduce fatal and serious collisions.

Chief Insp Winters said: "One of the most shocking results is the fact that 590 people are travelling in vehicles without wearing a seatbelt.

"Everyone has a part to play in reducing fatalities and casualties on the county's roads. Not wearing a seatbelt and using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is illegal for a reason.

"We will continue with our proactive approach to target those motorists who flout the laws of the roads."

During the 17 days of action the following offences were identified:

• 590 FPNs (Fixed Penalty Notices) were issued for failure to wear a seatbelt.

• 261 FPNs for use of a mobile phone while driving.

• 52 FPNs for no tax.

• 51 FPNs for speeding.

• 51 FPNs for no insurance.

• 75 vehicles were seized for no insurance.

• 13 FPNs for defective tyres.

• 124 Vehicle Defect Rectification Scheme notices were issued.

• 81 motorists received process orders for court.

• Four people were arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

• 11motorists were arrested on suspicion of driving whilst disqualified.

• 12 Other arrests were made in connection with other offences.

• 12 FPNs were issued for defective lights.

• 45 FPNs were issued for incorrect glass.

• 4 FPNs were issued for not being in proper control of a vehicle.

• 54 FPNs were issued for no MOT.

• 20 FPNs were issued for no licence.

• 104 other FPNs were issued for a variety of offences.

Councillor Matt Bradney, Cambridgeshire County Council Cabinet member for highways, said: "We face tough targets in reducing the amount of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.

"Road users have complete control, for example, over driving within the speed limit, not using their mobile phone whilst driving, ensuring that they wear a seatbelt along with any passengers, and remaining fully aware on the roads.

"Drivers adhering to the law, education, training, publicity and police enforcement are key to encouraging safer driving and avoiding tragic road deaths that devastate people's lives.