UNDERCOVER police officers got on their bikes to spread the word about cycle safety.

Since 2015 three cyclists have been killed and 500 injured on Dorset roads.

Equipped with cameras and radios and wearing plain clothes the officers cycled on one of Bournemouth’s busiest roads to check if drivers were leaving enough space as they overtook them.

Those deemed to be driving too close were flagged up to officers positioned further down the road and pulled over as part of the launch of Operation Close Pass.

They were then offered the choice of a fixed penalty for careless driving, consisting of a £100 fine and three penalty points, or the opportunity to receive advice at the roadside.

Seven drivers were stopped during a 90-minute period and a further seven were given tickets for using a mobile phone at the wheel. One vehicle was confiscated because its driver had no insurance.

The launch took place in Wallisdown Road with the emphasis on educating motorists. At the same time, officers highlighted a new Code of Conduct, which is aimed at giving advice to cyclists and the organisers of cycling events to improve safety on the roads.

PC Heidi Moxam, Dorset Police casualty reduction officer, was one of those giving advice to drivers.

She said: “The Highway Code states that cyclists should ride within 0.75m of the kerb and that drivers should give 1.5m clearance to cyclists.

“A lot of people don’t realise that they need to leave so much space and drive far too close to cyclists. You also have to remember that the cyclists might have wobble or need to avoid a drain or perhaps a pothole.”

Pauline Whitelock was one of those stopped and given police advice.

She said: “I signalled and I always look in my mirror but I had no idea I hadn’t left enough room. It is difficult to know exactly when to overtake.”

A 60-year-old lorry driver in Birmingham recently became one of the first motorists in the UK to be prosecuted for driving too close to a bike. He was found guilty and received five penalty points and fines and costs totalling more than £1,000.