Drivers who jumped red lights, used mobile phones at the wheel and travelled without a seatbelt fell foul of a police crackdown.

Nearly 300 people were fined and dozens more arrested or summonsed in the two-week operation on the streets of Brighton and Hove.

Many of the drivers had been shopped to police via the force’s Operation Crackdown website by other members of the public who had spotted them flouting the law.

In total 293 people were handed fixed penalty notices for crimes like speeding, using a mobile phone, not wearing a seatbelt and driving through red traffic lights.

Police arrested 12 people for drink-driving, possession of drugs or driving while disqualified, while 17 were charged with driving without insurance.

Officers also seized 34 cars which were uninsured or where the driver had no licence.

Another 24 people are facing summonses for other crimes.

The two-week Operation Crackdown followed earlier operations in Chichester and Horsham.

In a separate police campaign five taxi drivers had their licences suspended because their cabs were in such a poor state.

Police discovered 16 crimes when they stopped 50 city taxis in a single evening last month.

Inspector James Biggs, from the Road Policing Unit, said: “It is our clear intention to reduce casualties on the roads of Sussex and to make our roads a safer place for all.

“Therefore we will continue to target those who continually flout road traffic laws or choose to drive in an antisocial manner, putting every other road user at risk when doing so.

“Although this particular local operation was over just a two week period, involving extra officers brought in from other departments within road policing, we will continue this targeting of offenders throughout the year.”

Neil Hopkins, from the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, said: “It really is disappointing and truly astonishing that despite wearing a seat belt being enshrined in law for more than 25 years many people continue to flout these regulations and other vital traffic laws in Brighton and Hove.

“In the event of a collision, being securely restrained in your vehicle is of paramount importance.

“Even a low speed bump can send a vehicle’s occupants into the dashboard or the seat in front of them, making what should be a minor case of shock into a hospital visit.”

Anyone who wants to report antisocial driving should visit www.operationcrackdown.org or call 01243 642222.