POLICE have reacted to a new study which shows Bradford has the most penalised drivers in the UK.

The head of a special unit has said the results reflect the force's "ongoing commitment to preventing death and serious injury on the road network".

Bradford has been highlighted as a hotspot for drivers with penalty points, hosting five of the top ten postcodes.

Collingwood Insurance Services analysed DVLA data on penalty points by postcode to reveal the areas with the most and least penalised drivers in the country.

BD3, which covers Barkerend and Thornbury, is where licence holders are most likely to have penalty points, with 14.5 per cent having one point or more.

BD1 (city centre north), BD9 (north-west including the BRI), BD4 (south-east including Tong) and BD5 (city centre south including St Luke’s) are also in the top ten.

Paul Jeffrey, Head of the Prosecutions and Casualty Prevention Unit, highlighted how the force is educating the public about road safety to lower these numbers.

He said: “West Yorkshire Police (WYP) work with a range of partner agencies to promote road safety and prevent collisions.

“In Bradford, Operation Steerside and the West Yorkshire Safety Camera Partnership work proactively to educate drivers and undertake enforcement activity which is focussed on the four most significant causes of road casualties: excessive and dangerous speed, drink/drug driving, failure to wear seat belts and mobile phone use/distracted driving.

“WYP officers undertake proactive work across the county to address uninsured vehicle use and anti-social driver behaviour.

"The police also work with the public to address other forms of road traffic offences that have been captured on dash/helmet mounted cameras through its Operation SNAP digital submissions facility, with 4600 submissions processed in the past 12 months."

Mr Jeffrey also eluded to the fact that serious and/or repeat offenders are being punished more regularly.

He added: “Whilst educating the public is a primary consideration, serious and/or repeated offending will result in formal enforcement action.

"The consequence of which will be points and a fine, and potentially disqualification from driving upon conviction in more serious or aggravated cases.

“The current levels of enforcement activity reflect our ongoing commitment to preventing death and serious injury on the road network.

“WYP continues to work with partners to promote safe and sustainable use of the roads, and we urge all road users to drive safely within the law, and act considerately appropriate to the conditions.”