DRIVERS in Worcester who use their mobile phones at the wheel are being targeted by the police, during a week long campaign.

West Mercia Police launched the campaign on Monday and it will target drivers around the roads of the force area.

The campaign marks almost one year (March 2017) since new legislation was introduced, increasing the fine to £200 and six licence points for motorists caught using a mobile phone whilst driving.

Drivers caught twice face a lengthy ban - which could also then lead to a £1,000 fine.

New drivers, who have passed within the last two years, face having their licence revoked if caught just once.

Since March 2017 1,268 drivers in West Mercia have been caught using their mobile phone whilst at the wheel, 360 of them were spotted in Worcester.

Sergeant Laura Williams, from the Operational Policing Unit, who is running the force’s initiative, said: “We are carrying out spot checks around the city. There will be awareness with officers of what drivers they are looking out for this week."

Speaking on how the offences take place, she said: “I wouldn’t say the amount of drivers using their phone at the wheel has gone down. We have seen a rise in people using their phone differently, not using it to their ear but they tend to text, use Facebook and Twitter rather than phone whilst driving. There is a change in use.”

Sergeant Williams is running the campaign, which covers Worcester, from Bromsgrove, as part of a national scheme.

West Mercia Police's campaign was also highlighted on Good Morning Britain on Monday.

West Mercia Police chief constable Anthony Bangham, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for roads policing, said: “Driving while distracted by a mobile phone is completely unacceptable and puts everyone on the roads at risk of serious harm. We are making use of the tougher penalties to clamp down on this dangerous behaviour - but we have to be clear that when you get behind the wheel it is your responsibility to stay focused and alert.”

Since 2015 to 2017 the force has experienced a number of collisions where use of a mobile phone was a causation factor.