More than 100 people were caught driving while not wearing a seatbelt during a police operation in Southend. 

Officers carried out an operation in London Road, last Friday, and stopped 103 people who had failed to wear a seatbelt. 

18 people were also caught using a mobile phone while driving, eight were driving without a licence, insurance or MOT and nine were caught speeding. 

Police also seized two vehicles and gave words of advice to a cyclist who failed to stop at a red light without working brakes.

Matt Hine, of Essex Police’s Casualty Reduction Section, said: “The operation took place on one of Southend’s main routes on a very hot day, with many vehicle and pedestrian moments, yet 103 people still took the risk of not wearing a seatbelt. 

“Seatbelts save lives and most new vehicles have warning mechanisms in them to remind people that they are not plugged in.

"Hopefully those stopped will learn from their dangerous actions and if they haven’t, it will only be a matter of time until they are stopped and dealt with again.”