SIX cars were stopped in the New Forest for breaking the speed limit, police officers on patrol said. 

The officers were stationed at Hawkhill car park between Hatchet Pond and Brockenhurst on Saturday morning, November 30. 

They spent two hours there, starting from 6.30am. 

And while six cars were pulled over, four tickets were issued after speeds of two at 51mph, another at 52mph and another at 58mph. 

The speed limit on that road is 40mph. 

A spokesman from New Forest police said: “The other two drivers were spoken to and given advice about why sticking to the speed limit is so important especially in the forest. 

“Again, thanks to everyone who did stay under the 40mph limit.” 

The crackdown was part of the force’s Operation Mountie, a multi-agency response to reduce animal deaths on the roads across the forest. 

Last year, the New Forest National Park published data that showed animal deaths on the roads rose year-on-year. 

The latest data shows the overall number of accidents rose from 82 in 2022 to 92 in 2023. In total, 27 ponies died compared to 34 in 2022. 

Reports involving any accident involving a pony, cow, donkey, pig, sheep or deer should be made by calling 999 in an emergency or 101 for non-emergencies.