POLICE have stopped more drivers speeding at over 100mph on the M5 near Worcester and dealt with one driver who had made off with a tank full of stolen fuel.

Even stricter speeding enforcement action by West Mercia Police is expected to take place next week as part of a road safety campaign as lockdown restrictions begin to be eased.

Yesterday morning officers from the Worcestershire Operations Patrol Unit, part of West Mercia Police, stopped a car near junction 6 of the M5.

A spokesman said: "The occupants had just committed a theft of fuel from Frankley Services. The driver was dealt with and the vehicle seized for insurance offences."

The OPU also stopped a driver for speeding between junctions 8 (Strensham) and 7 (Worcester South) on Monday evening.

An OPU spokesman said: "Quiet roads aren’t an excuse to speed. Slow down. Stay Safe."

Another vehicle was also stopped between junctions 7 and 8 on Monday. It had been travelling at speeds exceeding 100mph. We reported on Monday how drivers had been clocked driving at speeds in excess of 110mph on the same stretch of motorway, one with an average speed of 115mph.

AN OPU officer said: "The NHS don’t need the added strain on resources at this critical time."

On Monday of this week the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) launched a speed enforcement operation which is expected to step up from Monday, May 25.

Chief Constable Anthony Bangham, roads policing lead for NPCC, said: "With the gradual move out of lockdown and with traffic volumes starting to increase, this national operation is an important way of highlighting the dangers of speeding, particularly when so many people have not been out on the roads for quite some time."

He said many forces reported increased speeding and some had reported 'very excessive speeding'.