More than 50 drivers were caught breaking the law as police clamped down on people driving dangerously on the M25.

Officers used a specially adapted unmarked HGV cab – provided by National Highways - to patrol the motorway during an operation between November 15 and November 19.

The unmarked HGV allowed officers to capture evidence of unsafe driving, with drivers then pulled over by police cars following a short distance behind.

Read more: Unmarked lorry cabs with police on board out on M25 as part of driver crackdown

Offences that were identified include:

  • 15 drivers who were using their mobile phones behind the wheel
  • 7 offences of not being in proper control of the vehicle
  • 3 seatbelt related offences
  • 6 offences of improper use of a motorway verge
  • 7 construction and use offences
  • 7 offences of driving without due care
  • 3 offences of driving through a red ‘X’ sign on a smart motorway
  • 1 offence of driving whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • 2 offences of a vehicle being uninsured.

Officers used a range of interventions including giving words of advice and issuing traffic offence reports for summonses to court.

One arrest was made during the operation.

Chief Inspector Steve O’Keeffe, head of Roads Policing for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, said: “Especially as the nights get darker, our message is clear: please ensure that you drive safely, sensibly and within the law. No journey, and no reason, justifies dangerous driving.

“Sadly, my officers regularly deal with the aftermath of serious injury and fatal collisions, many of which are caused by dangerous or careless driving, and part of their job involves having to deliver agony messages to loved ones, which is devastating for all involved.

“This type of operation delivers a Prevention First approach to casualty reduction, and identifying these dangerous drivers minimises the possibility of someone having to receive the awful news that a loved one has been involved in a collision.

“We will most definitely be conducting this operation again. Remember, just because you can’t see us – doesn’t mean we can’t see you.”