THE drivers most likely to kill on Dorset's roads are being targeted as part of a new police initiative.

Operation Dragoon - launched by the force's Roads Policing and No Excuse teams - aims to prevent prolific driving offenders from causing serious injuries and fatalities in the future.

Motorists who commit crimes on the road will be graded as 'high', 'medium', 'standard' or 'ungraded' risk, with regular reviews.

'High' risk targets will include those who have a recent history of dangerous driving or failing to stop and a substantial record of drink or drug driving.

Once these drivers are identified, police will work with the individual, and their families and friends, to try and stop any further offences.

Inspector Stu Pitman said: “Actively engaging with our most prolific road offenders and those closest to them is an innovative concept.

"It is vital that we go that step further and confront dangerous driver behaviour head on.

“Road deaths should not be an inevitable result of travelling on the road network in Dorset.

"Officers will not only engage with offenders early on to deter a continuation or escalation of their behaviour, but throughout any criminal proceedings and after their license is returned.

“We will also be visiting lower-level offenders to encourage them to consider the consequences of reckless driving before we are called to deal with the aftermath.”

Police have already trialled Op Dragoon.

In May 2016, Liam Brown, 19, of Canford Heath, was identified as a risk by officers who seized two uninsured vehicles and arrested him for driving while disqualified and using false vehicle registration plates.

Police spoke to Brown's family, who said he believed there would be no real consequences.

Officers later discovered a 23-year-old man from Blandford had swapped vehicle registration plates with Brown after an automatic number plate recognition (ANRP) hit.

In mid-June, Brown was arrested again and received a suspended sentence and a further ban.

Officers are continuing to work with Brown and his family, and Brown hasn't committed any further offences.