Police have issued a warning to speeding motorists after new figures show that more than 9,000 offenders were caught by cameras in just one year.

Figures released by Cheshire Police show that 9,643 people were issued with a fixed penalty notice for breaking the speed limit in the borough in 2013, the latest year for which data is available.

That is actually a decrease of 22 per cent compared to the 12,330 people caught breaking the speed limit in 2012.

Only seven other forces out of 43 in England and Wales saw a larger decrease in the number of people issued with fines after being caught by speed cameras during this period.

In addition to this Cheshire Police also issued 1,903 fixed penalty notices for people neglecting to follow traffic directions, such as driving through red lights.

This figure represents a 34 per cent decrease compared to the 2,876 penalty notices issued for these offences in 2012.

Inspector Steve Griffiths, head of Macclesfield police, said: “We welcome the figures showing members of the public are listening. There’s been some high profile cases where people have died as a result of speeding and I think it’s meant people are more aware of the tragedy that can be caused when people do speed.

“We work closely with campaigners and the government to raise awareness of the issue, we have a dedicated road policing team and our PCSOs go out with speed cameras. But the amount of penalties issued shows speeding doesn’t pay.”

Figures have also shown that Cheshire Constabulary caught more than 1,400 people using their mobiles while driving in 2013.

New figures show that 1,409 people were given fixed penalty notices for using a mobile phone while driving in 2013.

However the number of people slapped on the wrist by police for mobile phone use while driving has actually decreased. In 2012 the force issued 3,115 fixed penalty notices and 3,472 in 2011, which means that between 2011 and 2013 the number of people caught on phones while driving fell by 59 per cent.

Steve added: “I see this offence happening daily and am always keen for my patrols to stop anyone they see on phones while driving.

“If you were to hit someone while sending a text or making a call you will end up in prison. Is that worth it?”