POLICE officers have issued a stark warning to motorists driving irresponsibly in a town centre.

Colchester’s community policing team issued seven tickets and completed one stop and search within just 15 minutes on Thursday.

It followed complaints from residents regarding speeding motorists and others using their phones while behind the wheel in the town centre.

A police spokesman said: “A timely reminder you cannot use your mobile phone while driving.

“It is dangerous and will land you with a fine and points, which is considerably better than crashing because you were looking at your phone.”