POLICE stung 50 speeding motorists in one day in several Kent villages.

In a bid to meet priorities set by its Partners And Communities Together meetings, Maidstone police held a speed enforcement day on Monday and carried out checks in local rural villages.

Officers were stationed on roads in Headcorn, Boughton Monchelsea, Nettlestead and the A20 Harrietsham, which was recently the scene of a fatal car accident involving a 19-year-old, and stopped a total of 109 cars to explain the dangers of speeding to motorists.

Of all the drivers stopped, 43 received fixed penalty notices and seven motorists were summonsed for more serious offences.

Among these was an Arriva bus and two lorries, which received a fixed penalty notice of £60 and three penalty points, and one car was seized for having no insurance.

The highest speeds recorded were 57mph in a 40mph limit and 53mph in a 30mph limit.

Rural Sergeant Mick Hayes said: “I hope this operation sends out a message to motorists that excess speed will not be tolerated on our rural roads.

“It creates both a nuisance and a danger for local residents.

“We are planning to carry out more checks in the near future so I issue a warning to motorists using rural roads to cut their speed or they could face a fine and points on their licence.”