Police are launching a crackdown on motorists who drive too close to cyclists in Cheltenham.

Operation Close Pass, which will take place in the town on Thursday, involves plain clothes police officers on bikes who will identify drivers who do not leave enough room as they overtake.

The drivers will then be stopped by uniformed officers and offered roadside education as an alternative to prosecution.

The operation aims to reduce the number of collisions between cars and bikes in Gloucestershire, 22 per cent of which are believed to happen during overtaking.

The is the second Close Pass operation to be led by the Tri-Force roads policing unit, which includes Gloucestershire Constabulary, Wiltshire Constabulary and Avon and Somerset Police.

Superintendent Charlie Laporte said: "We are delighted to be involved in this popular police operation, which is being carried out by other forces up and down the country.

"By sending plain clothes officers out on bikes, and pulling over drivers who passed too close, West Midlands Police began an education and enforcement action which changed driver behaviour and saw a reduction in reported close passes by up to 50 per cent.

"We believe this is an efficient and effective way to reduce driving without due care offences and to get drivers to change their attitude to other road users, in particular cyclists.

"When drivers overtake cyclists they should allow as much space as when they overtake cars, 1.5 metres or approximately a car door width.

West Midlands Police has recently had its first conviction from Operation Close Pass.

A 60-year-old man was found guilty of driving without due care and attention after dangerously overtaking a cyclist.

He was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £1,038 after rejecting a £100 fine and asking for a court trial.

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