A POLICE operation to try to curb the speed of hundreds of bikers who converge on Avebury every Wednesday, has had some surprise results.

It is picking up more car drivers for breaking the law than bikers.

The weekly meeting of bikers in the village during the summer months has gained momentum in the past six years and villagers have become increasingly concerned at the speed of some bikers and complained to police about dangerous riding.

The police have responded by running a bike-safe campaign, and officers have been attending the Wednesday meetings to speak to motorcyclists and get across the road safety message.

The campaign has now been running for four weeks.

Salisbury police division press officer David Taylor said: "Traffic officers carried out speed and vehicle checks in and around the Avebury area as well as offering advice to the 350 motorcyclists attending the meet."

He said during the evening one motorcyclist and four motorists were reported for excess speed.

In addition, one male car driver was arrested for suspected drink driving, failing to stop for a police officer, speeding and driving without insurance.

A further three car drivers were cautioned for road traffic offences other than speeding.

Although the police campaign is resulting in more car drivers being booked than bikers, it will continue through the summer in a bid to reduce the number of accidents involving motorcyclists.

Between April and December last year seven bikers died on Wiltshire roads and a total of 58 two-wheeler riders, including mopeds and riders of machines under 125cc, were involved in serious injury accidents.

All the fatalities involved machines of more than 125cc.

Mr Taylor said: "So far, this year's campaign has been seen as successful, with a good response from the large majority of people.

"However, the small minority who continue to put lives at risk by riding dangerously, and at high speed on the road will continue to be the focus of police attention throughout the summer months."

l Officers in Pewsey are also concerned about the increasing number of motorists who are driving without seat belts. They are now planning to issue fixed penalty tickets.

PC Peter Gee, the community beat officer for Pewsey, said: "In the last few months there has been a noticeable increase in the number of drivers in the Pewsey area not wearing seat belts."

He said: "In the next few days we will be running a seat belt campaign in Pewsey and the villages around. Anybody seen without a seat belt will be stopped and issued with a £30 fixed penalty ticket."

"For some reason people have recently started to become a bit blase about not wearing their belts.

"An increasing number of drivers appear to have forgotten the requirement to wear a seat belt, and for their passengers to do the same, when their vehicle is in motion."

He added: "Drivers should consider that if they should have an accident and are not wearing a seat belt they could find it impossible to claim compensation."