Cunning method police use to spot drivers on phones behind wheel revealed – as Brits face £200 fines and penalty points

SPY cops are slapping Brits with fines and penalty points after using a cunning tactic to spot phone users behind the wheel.

Dorset police have been sitting on buses in order to catch dangerous drivers in Bournemouth in an experiment dubbed "Operation Decker".

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The sting operation comes ahead of a new law that comes into force later this year intended to clamp down on drivers using their phones.

Cops caught 10 motorists using these covert tactics.

Ten people were caught breaking several different motoring laws such as driving without a licence, not having tax, or not having a valid MOT.

Three drivers that were stopped for mobile phone offences had their vehicles seized because they were driving without insurance.

And one man was spotted with no hands on his steering wheel while driving.

Sergeant Lee Savage, of Dorset Police's No Excuse team, said the operation had been a "huge success".

He said: "The buses provide a great vantage point for officers to spot road traffic offences with particular attention paid today to mobile phones.

"One driver had both hands off the wheel and his phone in front of him, using both thumbs on the touchscreen while the vehicle was in motion.

"It also opened the door for us to tackle other offences.

"Two vehicles were seized — one because they had no insurance and another because they were driving without a licence.

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"There was a stolen Mini located. It activated the automatic number plate recognition system in one of our vehicles."

The operation involved two uniformed officers sat on the top deck of a Yellow Buses double decker and two on the bottom level.

The bus went on a circular route around Bournemouth catching offenders.

Sergeant Lee Savage added: "Hopefully this will send a very clear message to the public — if you are in a vehicle you need to be focused on driving.

"You have to look at the bigger picture. You are four times more likely to have an accident if you use your phone.

"If you are injured, the impact not just on you and your family but on others is massive."

'OPERATION DECKER'

David Sidwick, the Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, said: "We are very grateful to Yellow Bus for loaning us one of their buses.

"You would be surprised how many people think its OK to use their phone while driving a car which weighs a tonne.

"They came from all walks of life."

The current law makes it illegal to text or make phone calls while driving, yet it doesn't stop motorists from touching a hand-held device.

But new legislation due to be brought in later this year will make it illegal to touch a handheld device for any reason.

This includes checking notifications, taking photos or playing music while driving.

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The new laws will also apply to people who check their phones while stuck in traffic or at a red light.

Drivers who break the them will be handed a £200 fixed penalty notice plus six points on their licence.

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