More than 1,000 illegal drivers have been dealt with and 16 people arrested as part of a major operation to make roads safer in parts of Kirklees.

West Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit and Kirklees neighbourhood policing teams have pledged more patrols and operations over the coming months as part of Operation Trimburg.

The operation, which was launched to reduce fatal and serious road incidents in Batley and Spen and Dewsbury and Mirfield has now reached its half-way stage after launching in February this year.

So far 1,117 traffic offences have been recorded with drivers dealt with. They included 209 speeding offences, 262 seatbelt misuse offences, 79 instances of mobile phone use while driving and 47 instances of driving without due care and attention.

Arrest figures included six people who were arrested for drink/drug driving offences and four people arrested for vehicle theft Ninety five vehicles were also seized by officers.

Operation Trimburg itself is focussed on reducing the fatal five offences as identified as being the main cause of serious and fatal road incidents.