HAMPSHIRE police have caught more than 5,000 drivers using their mobile phones behind the wheel.

The figures were released on Tuesday as officers launch a new week-long  region-wide campaign to crack down on those putting lives at risk by taking a call on the road.

This week’s scheme is run in partnership with the Thames Valley and the Isle of Wight forces as part of a joint operation.

In total 15,952 drivers were caught using handheld phones and other electronic devices across the three counties between March 31 and April 1 last year. The Hampshire figure was 5,280.