POLICE have introduced long-range speed cameras that can focus on a driver from almost a mile away.

Northumbria Police are using advanced laser technology to catch speeding drivers at a range of up to 5,000ft.

They are using the hand-held Unipar laser speed detection meters at accident blackspots.

The cameras release a rapid stream of laser beams that bounce off vehicles and record their speed in two-fifths of a second.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: "Laser technology has been in the force for more than ten years, but this is the latest technology - the Rolls Royce of cameras."

There are 81 mobile camera sites designated across Northumberland and Tyne and Wear, along with 42 fixed sites and 18 red light cameras.

Roads around South Tyneside will be particularly monitored by the new equipment as the council have recently spent £2,500 on one of the devices.

Inspector Simon Charlton, of South Tyneside police, said: "We hope this will help us enforce the speed restrictions and most importantly lead to a reduction in the numbers of people hurt or killed on our roads."

Those caught will be shown a digital display with their car details and the speed. They will be fined £60 with three penalty points.