THE number of fatal road crashes in Herefordshire has reduced by more than half in the last three years.

But police want to make sure this figure is reduced further and during a 12-week trial officers are tackling high risk areas and drivers.

Sgt Andrew Wortley from Hereford police station said:"The overall aim is quite simply to remove as much risk from our roads and make is safe as possible for everyone."

Last year there were six deaths on county roads, compared to seven in 2015 and 13 in 2014.

The number of serious injury casualties are not available for last year but in 2015 there were 92 and the year before that there were 70.

Sgt Wortley said West Mercia Police remain committed to making the road networks as safe as possible and said there will be increased police activity on the high-risk roads.

He said: "We will examine the road worthiness of vehicles, ensure that drivers are fully insured and not under the influence of alcohol and illegal drugs.

"Through effective use of intelligence we will be actively targeting those individuals who do drive illegally and show total disregard for other road users.

"Wherever possible they will be removed from the road."

Officers carried out an operation in the Ledbury area and caught two drug drivers, and also drivers who were uninsured and had not taxed their vehicle.

Sgt Wortley also highlighted the increased penalties from March for people who are caught using their mobile phones while driving. Instead of three points and a £100 fine, they will get six points and a £200 fine.

He said: "There is always a push on mobile phones. We had a mobile phone national campaign drive two weeks ago- during the week-long campaign there were 44 offences."

If you have any information about driving offences then contact police on 101.