ALMOST 300 people were dealt with for motoring offences and other crimes in the first ever police operation covering the entire length of the M5.

Officers from Avon and Somerset worked with six other forces to police the motorway between West Bromiwch to Exeter over two days at the start of the month.

Of 291 suspects dealt with, 70 were stopped for speeding, 54 received fixed penalty notices for using their phone at the wheel and 35 were pulled over for not wearing their seatbelts.

Among 11 arrested for a variety of offences, two were later charged with theft, fraud and taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent.

In one incident, a BB gun was seized from a Mercedes van tracked from Cullompton through Somerset to Bristol.

Supt Paul Keasey, who led the operation, said: “We are delighted with the results of this operation.

“We hope it sends a clear message to members of the criminal community that we will act on the information we receive from the public and we will take whatever action necessary to disrupt their activities.

“We also hope it raises the awareness of the ‘fatal five’ offences - namely dangerous and careless driving, using mobile phones, speeding, lack of seatbelts and drink or drug driving - and makes drivers think more carefully about their actions, helping to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.”