NORTHUMBRIA Police are planning a campaign against speeding aimed at reducing road casualties.

The operation follows the release of figures showing a 2.5 per cent rise in the number of collisions in which people were hurt in Tyneside, Wearside and Northumberland.

The figures rose from 4,739, in 1999, to 4,858, in 2000. During the same period the number of casualties rose from 6,673 to 6,867, up 2.9 per cent.

At the same time there was a 38 per cent drop in the number of road deaths - down to 44 from 71, in 1999 - and an 8.1 per cent reduction in serious injuries, down from 681 to 626.

Officers are planning a three-week campaign on collision blackspots, with extra resources put into targeting stretches of road where drivers ignore speed limits.

These include urban as well as major roads, and the sites will change on a daily basis.

Northumbria Police motor patrols head, Chief Inspector Michael Hassen, said: "It's encouraging that there were fewer deaths and serious injuries last year, but we are disappointed that crashes and overall casualties have increased.

"The reduction in serious injuries could be for a number of reasons, such as vehicles generally being fitted with more safety features like airbags, and better braking systems, so if you are involved in a collision you are more likely to escape serious injury."