POLICE seized two uninsured vehicles and issued three tickets for speeding during the latest Operation Mountie exercise in the New Forest.

Officers often visit the B3078 Roger Penny Way and other roads in the Bramshaw area to enforce the speed limits that aim to prevent animals being killed or injured.

It follows an accident on New Year’s Eve in 2020 in which four ponies owned by the same person were killed by a Land Rover Discovery.

The driver was obeying the speed limit but many other motorists have been caught flouting the restriction.

Posting on social media New Forest Cops said: “Our fifth Op Mountie session saw us seize two uninsured cars, issue three tickets for speeding and speak to another 11 drivers who were also going faster than the limit.

“Op Mountie is our dedicated operation that looks to slow traffic down and reduce animal deaths.”

As reported, more than 50,000 people have signed a petition calling for average speed cameras to be installed on Roger Penny Way and other roads.

The online petition was launched by pony owner Sarah Weston, who wants cameras on B routes in the Forest.

She said: “Time is of the essence because ponies and other Forest stock are being killed and injured week in and week out.”

Last month the leader of New Forest District Council, Cllr Edward Heron, said talks would be held on the possibility of installing average speed cameras on Roger Penny Way.

“This meeting will bring together senior representatives of all the statutory organisations required to deliver an average speed camera system: police, highways authority, landowner, planning and regulatory authorities,” he said.