Police caught motorists watching Netflix, using mobile banking apps and driving without insurance during a one-day road safety crackdown in Farnham town centre.

Officers and PCSOs from Surrey Police uncovered nearly 30 offences during the operation last week, with mobile phone use emerging as the biggest concern.

A plain-clothes officer on a bicycle helped spot drivers breaking the law, including offences that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.

Police issued 13 traffic offence reports for mobile phone use, while two drivers were summonsed to court for using their phones behind the wheel.

One motorist was caught using a phone while driving without a licence or insurance. Their vehicle was seized.

Two other vehicles were seized after their drivers were found to have no licence or insurance, while another motorist was summonsed for driving without insurance and a seatbelt offence.

Officers also issued a fixed penalty notice to a driver caught watching Netflix behind the wheel.

Police vehicles in South Street car park, Farnham, during the road safety operation.
Police vehicles in South Street car park, Farnham, during the road safety operation. (Iliffe Media)

Other offences included children travelling unrestrained in the back of a vehicle, two further seatbelt offences and a motorist using a mobile banking app while driving.

A roadside deposit was taken from a driver caught using a phone who had no valid UK address.

Police also issued a Section 172 notice to a vehicle's registered keeper after its driver was spotted using the NatWest app but could not be stopped.

Three arrests were made in connection with immigration offences.

A Surrey Police spokesperson said: “In one day, officers dealt with nearly 30 offences, including 13 for mobile phone use, highlighting the scale of the issue.

“Using a mobile phone or being distracted behind the wheel is one of the Fatal Five offences most likely to cause serious injury or fatal collisions on our roads.

“Being stationary or in slow moving traffic is not an excuse. If you're scrolling, messaging, checking your banking app or watching a screen while driving, your attention isn't on the road or what is going on around you.

“Our message is simple, put the phone away. It can wait.”