Officers seized five cars and charged a man with drink-driving after cracking down on Southend motorists.

Police spent six hours stationed off Nestuda Way, and in Southchurch, on Tuesday, to tackle crime and poor driving.

During the day, they seized five cars after the drivers were found to have no insurance and reported 40 people for not wearing seatbelts.

A further 24 people were reported for not having anyMoT, nine for using mobile phones at the wheel and two other people for careless driving.

One person was also reported for driving not in accordance with his licence.

They will all have the chance to attend an educational course instead of being prosecuted for the offences.

Adam Pipe, casualty reduction manager for Essex Police, said: “This was part of a continued operation of towns and locations we visit as a partnership to promote safety on the roads.

“It is part of the Safer Essex Roads partnership, with Southend Council, Thurrock Council, Essex Police, the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance and more. It is a combination of education and enforcement, identifying offenders and changing behaviour.

“We made one arrest after a driver was identified by the number plate recognition cameras for not having any MoT.

“Officers stopped and pulled him over and made an arrest for drink driving.”

Officers later charged Terry Hendrick, 60, of Ayloffs Walk, Hornchurch, with driving a motor vehicle when his alcohol level was above the limit and using a motor vehicle without a valid MoT.

He was released on police bail to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on October 14.

Mr Pipe added: “We are disappointed we stopped 24 drivers for not having an MoT and we are still finding far too many people who are continuing to drinkdrive, use mobile phones while driving and not wearing their seatbelts.

We want people to make simple changes to their behaviour to improve our roads.”