OVER 100 vehicles have been stopped in a police crackdown on motoring offences.

Officers from the Hedge End North Neighbourhood Policing Team have uncovered a range of motoring offences as part of Hampshire Constabulary’s drink and drug driving campaign, "Operation Holly".

These are said to have ranged from excess speed in local areas to stop and searches for illegal drugs.

A total of 125 vehicles were stopped on two separate occasions between December 7 to December 9 and December 17 through to December 20.

These included locations in Barnfield Way, Upper Northam Road and Lower Northam Road in Hedge End, Winchester Road in Botley and West End High Street.

Over two thirds of the vehicles that officers encountered were said to have been dealt with in some way, whether that was a verbal warning, tickets for offences or community resolutions.

Action taken against motorists included:

• 59 verbal warnings issued for lower excess speed

• 21 Fixed Penalty Notices issued for excess speed

• Two stop searches of a vehicle under the misuse of drugs act

• One community resolution issued for possession of a quantity of a Class B drug

• One negative drugs swipe

A police spokesperson said: "Throughout December, officers from our Roads Policing Unit will be carrying out checks for drink and drug drivers as part of Operation Holly.

"Driving while impaired can have tragic consequences and our message is simple; it's not worth the risk."