A CRACKDOWN against speeding drivers resulted in more than 700 speeding motorists facing police action.

Results have been collated from the week-long operation across the roads of County Durham and Cleveland force areas.

Conducted as part of the European Traffic Police Network (TISPOL), it began on Monday, April 15.

Road policing crews targeted a number of key road-side locations where speeding has been identified as an issue by local people.

During the seven days of intense police activity, a total of 737 drivers were recorded travelling at “significantly” above the speed limit across the two force areas.

The figure comprises a combination of those whose speeds were recorded directly by traffic officers, in 196 cases, and the 541 captured by mobile safety camera van.

Depending on the speed level they were recorded at, the offending motorists will be dealt with either by prosecution, given “suitable advice” about the manner of their driving, or, in some cases, offered the alternative of attending a speed awareness course, at their own cost.

Inspector Ed Turner, of the Cleveland and Durham specialist operations unit, said the results demonstrated the need for the campaign.

“We concentrated our efforts on locations which had been the subject of concerns or complaints from local residents.

“And, the results suggest their concerns are well-founded, as there are clearly too many motorists who believe they can flout the speed limits with impunity.

“Speed is a major factor in thousands of collisions each year, and drivers should be aware there will be more campaigns like this across Cleveland, County Durham and Darlington over the coming months.”