POLICE carrying out speeding checks were forced to cut the operation short due to a crash.

But officers still caught five drivers exceeding the 30mph limit in Priory Road, Eastbourne, on Tuesday.

One was clocked at 53mph, nearly double the limit.

A police spokesman said the Neighbourhood Policing Team was due to be out and about this week across Eastbourne following public concern over excessive speeding in the area.

“Drivers who are recorded at what is considered a high speed or above the threshold will be referred to court in the first instance - no course or fine and points offered - and will receive a notice of intended prosecution in the post,” the spokesman said.

“Regrettably, our checks in Priory Road were cut short due to attending a road traffic collision further up the road.”

The Argus: Police officers conducting speed checks in Priory Road, Eastbourne Police officers conducting speed checks in Priory Road, Eastbourne

The traffic stops were part of Operation Downsway.

Sussex Police launched Operation Downsway in April in an attempt to cut the number of people killed or seriously injured and to target antisocial and dangerous motorists.

They use a variety of tactics including the latest technology in automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and drones.

Speeding is one of the fatal five driving offences, so called as they are the main contributors to fatal accident on the roads of Sussex each year.

Careless driving, drink and drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt and using a mobile phone while driving are the other four.