THE arrival of new road safety camera vans will catch those breaking motoring laws, but police will still need the public's help.

Superintendent Adam Thomson is North Yorkshire Police’s Neighbourhood Policing Commander for York and Selby said new smaller camera vans were now in use by the force, with cameras which covered the front, rear and sides.

Supt Thomson said the aim of these vans was to reduce the number of deaths on the roads, and ensure motorists drive more safely.

He said: "As well as catching people who blatantly flout motoring laws such driving at excess speed, the equipment is also able to identify drivers using hand-held mobile phones and other common offences like failing to wear seatbelts."

The vans are also fitted with automatic number place recognition technology, which allows them to "track and target vehicles that are linked to criminal activity".

Supt Thomson said: "If you are an active criminal it must be a horrible feeling having your every move watched over.

"Police always need fresh information and intelligence to keep on top of criminal activity. For example, criminals often change their vehicles or registration plates. That’s why we need to know about it to keep our intelligence systems up-to-date. Put simply, we cannot operate effectively without the assistance of our communities."

Suspicious vehicles can be reported to North Yorkshire Police on 101.