MORE than 150 people were caught breaking the speed limit in Shaftesbury in one day last week.

Officers from the No Excuse team took part in the “surround a town” operation on Friday, supported by the traffic department, neighbourhood policing team, safety camera team and the education team.

They were joined by the Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill and North Dorset District councillor Andrew Kerby.

The No Excuse team was set up to tackle the “fatal five” issues of speeding, using a mobile phone at the wheel, careless driving, drink and drug driving and not wearing a seatbelt.

They also target uninsured motorists who are responsible for injuring 23,000 people nationally every year and killing 160 people on our roads.

During the day officers seized seven vehicles for either no insurance, no licence or a combination of both.

A further 26 tickets were issued to drivers or passengers not wearing seat belts - which usually results in a £100 fine.

However the team offered them a chance to attend a seatbelt safety course for free on the same day which all but one of the offenders attended.

Another 27 vehicles were dealt with for offences such as using a mobile phone at the wheel and not having a valid MOT.

And the safety camera team also detected 159 people travelling over 36mph in a 30mph zone.

Members of the team also set up a stand at Tesco, to engage with shoppers, whilst some of the Driver Awareness Team gave road safety tips to kids at Shaftesbury School.

Mr Underhill said: “The surround a town event in Shaftesbury was an excellent way to broadcast the various initiatives being undertaken across Dorset to keep people safe on the roads.

"The results of the day show that every area in our county is affected by poor road safety decisions made by motorists and we must do everything we can to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads.

"A driver is more likely to have an accident on a rural road rather than a motorway so it is vital we not only enforce the law but also educate and inform the rural driving public.”

Dorset Police road safety operations manager Brian Austin said, “It was a very productive day with lots of good education messages passed to fully supportive drivers and members of the public.

"My thanks to all involved including Shaftesbury Youth Club, Shaftesbury School and Tesco for their kind hospitality.”

During the day Mr Underhill also presented local firm, C&O Tractors, with 150 road safety packs to help staff stay safe on the roads.