MORE than 250 motorist were snared in a single day as police staged a crackdown on rogue drivers.

Monday's traffic clampdown - codenamed Operation Nash - targeted drivers flouting the law in Clacton.

Police hailed the operation a success after an astonishing 257 offenders were caught - including one arrest for drug-driving.

The haul included:

  • * 116 speeding offenders
  • * 78 people not wearing seatbelts
  • * 30 drivers without MOTs of insurance
  • * Seven motorists using mobile phones illegally

A total of 11 vehicles were seized during the operation.

Police are warning that similar crackdowns will follow.

Divisional Commander Russ Col added: “A significant number of offences were picked up over a relatively short period of time and this was not a one-off.

“We will continue to stage similar initiatives to tackle motorists who are breaking the law.”

Police road safety staff and Essex Fire and Rescue spoke with more than 80 people at Tesco on Brook Retail Park on the outskirts of the town as part of the operation.

Tendring’s community safety partnership chairman Lynda McWilliams praised the operation.

“It is vitally important that we look at community safety and crackdown on anti-social behaviour in a variety of areas,” she said.

“This initiative was highly successful with more than 250 caught for a number of offences – all of which can have serious implications for others members of our community.

“On top of that more than 100 other people were also spoken to about their driving habits and that can only be positive.”