AI cameras that spot phone offences to be trialled

The cameras will likely be mounted on the relocatable trailers in Essex - as demonstrated in this image

State-of-the art cameras designed to identify drivers not wearing seatbelts and using mobile phones will be trialled by police in Essex.

The high-definition AI (artificial technology) has been used by other forces across England.

Motorists can be sent warning letters, fined and prosecuted as a result of the cameras being used.

The technology is due to be deployed by Essex Police from April and the force's head of roads policing, Adam Pipe, said the results he had seen were "phenomenal".

"The picture quality is brilliant and they are detecting offence numbers that we would simply never detect by an officer being present at the roadside" said Mr Pipe, speaking to BBC Essex.

The images are always assessed by a human before action is considered, according to the manufacturer of the cameras

Mr Pipe told BBC Essex the technology could play a big part in reducing the number of road accidents, but that safety started with individual responsibility.

"Just start to feel brave in challenging other individuals' behaviour, so if you see something you don't like, don't be afraid to speak out," he said.

"It might be the difference for you as an individual going home and seeing your kids again or not getting home because you've answered that call."

• What is AI, and how does it work?

A toddler was spotted unrestrained on a woman's lap by Devon and Cornwall Police, using the cameras

The cameras were designed by tech company Acusensus, which said it was already working with 19 police regions including Norfolk and Northamptonshire.

Geoff Collins, UK general manager at the firm, said there would always be a "human in the loop" who would review images before any further action was taken.

He said the cameras in Essex would most likely be deployed using one of the company's relocatable trailers, parked on the roadside.

"It's a labour-saving device," he said.

"It's impractical to have a police officer looking at hundreds of thousands of vehicles every day."

Last year, Devon and Cornwall Police said 109 children were among more than 2,000 detected by the cameras on three A-roads over a two-month period - including a child sitting on a woman's lap unrestrained.