Police use double decker buses to spy on motorists using mobiles

Police have started spying on motorists from the top decks of buses in a bid to catch more people using their mobile phones while driving.

A team in Plymouth, Devon, pioneered the initiative at the weekend, catching more than 130 unsuspecting dangerous drivers on Friday afternoon and Saturday.

From above, officers were able to look down into cars and see motorists using their mobile phones or committing other traffic offences.

The team on the bus then alerted colleagues in waiting patrol cars or motorbikes who pulled over the offenders.

Of those stopped, 39 were using a mobile phone, 36 were pulled over for not wearing a seat belt and two vehicles were seized for not having insurance.

A further 53 drivers were reported for speeding and two more were arrested for drug driving.

Pc Andy Llewellyn of Devon and Cornwall Police told the Plymouth Herald: "This is a great example of how we can maximise policing resources by working closely with partner organisations in the community."

Since 1 March 2017 the penalty for using a mobile phone while driving has doubled to a £200 fine with a six point endorsement.

Mark Horide, Citybus's engineering director, said the experiment had proved "very successful" and would be repeated.

"He told the Herald: "We were approached by police about the scheme and we see this as a worthwhile safety campaign."