Demand for extra traffic police

The survey showed Kent has 77 speed cameras and 35 patrol cars

Calls are being made for more traffic police after a survey suggested Kent was relying heavily on speed cameras.

"Speed cameras are a one trick pony," said Ian Pointon of Kent Police Federation after Auto Express revealed Kent had 77 cameras to 35 traffic cars.

"They don't detect people who are drunk or dangerous vehicles or criminals with car boots jammed with stolen goods."

Kent Police said it planned to add 22 new posts to its traffic team next year.

The increase was made up of 17 traffic patrol officers, four extra specialist crash investigation officers and a roads policing analyst.

This summer more than 100 uninsured cars a month have been seized Supt Paul Brandon

The magazine's survey showed in some areas of England and Wales speed cameras outnumbered patrol cars by up to seven to one.

Mr Pointon said he recognised distribution of resources presented chief constables with difficult choices but there had been a reduction in the number of traffic officers in Kent.

"Speed cameras need to be used wisely - there is a danger they alienate the otherwise law-abiding public," he said.

"There is an ocean of difference between someone doing 40mph in a 30mph limit past a school when the children are coming out and doing 35 mph at 3am, but each attracts three penalty points and a £60 fine."

Supt Paul Brandon said the importance of roads policing was recognised by the government.

"Every day across the county we have road checks that result in vehicles being seized for being uninsured or used illegally or anti-socially," he said.

"This summer more than 100 uninsured cars a month have been seized."