No drivers have been prosecuted for speeding in Brighton and Hove’s 20mph zones, The Argus can reveal.

According to a Freedom of Information (FoI) request, no charges have been brought against motorists in the city since the zones were introduced in April last year.

A Sussex Police FoI officer said this means drivers have been stopped or given “words of advice or caution”.

The officer added: “Brighton and Hove City Council are monitoring the compliance as 20mph limits are designed to be self enforcing. Average speeds across the area involved are already below 24mph and we expect drivers to play their part in improving safety by complying with the limits.

“As far as our policy, while Sussex Police are able to enforce any legally established speed limit, we do not routinely expect to enforce 20mph limits because as part of the consultation in the implementation of the 20mph limit, the new area should comply with the Department for Transport guidelines for self enforcing schemes – however where drivers are exceeding the speed limit through wilful offending, officers can enforce the limit and prosecute offen-ders.”

Rod King, from the campaign group 20’s Plenty For Us, has urged police to enforce laws and encourage compliance.

He said: “Police should not pick and choose which laws they enforce.”

Superintendent Jane Derrick, the head of the road policing unit at Sussex Police, said that where drivers are “regularly and wilfully” breaking the law, action will be taken to deal with offenders.

A council spokesperson said: “Brighton and Hove continues to have one of the worst road safety records in the country based on collisions per mile.

“We’re introducing more 20mph speed limits to improve safety for all road users, including drivers, and to make it safer and more appealing to walk and cycle.

“It’s used by councils across the country to help prevent death and injury.

“In a survey we conducted last year of 58,000 homes, the majority of people said they wanted 20mph on the street where they lived. People with children, older people and people with disabilities showed high levels of support for it.

“The lower speed limit is designed to be self-enforcing according to Department for Transport guidelines.

“We believe education and awareness are the key factors in achieving safer streets and reducing accident rates.”