“Reckless and dangerous” road users have been criticised by the police after an operation at a busy level crossing.

Officers from British Transport Police (BTP) dealt with 35 offenders during the operation at Mitcham Eastfields Station last week.

The police handed out fines and court appearances to risk-taking drivers and pedestrians on November 2.

BTP PC Ostin Elkins said: “It is hard to believe that so many people are prepared to put their life and the safety of other innocent people at risk simply to save a few minutes at level crossings.

“The majority of drivers and pedestrians respected the lights but a small minority was still prepared to run the risk to shave a couple of minutes off their journey time.

“Nine drivers were fined for failing to conform to the traffic lights on Monday while two pedestrians were also fined for using the crossing when the barrier was coming down.

"This sort of impatience is reckless and dangerous and we are working closely with Network Rail and the Metropolitan Police to address the problem.”

The drivers were fined £60 and given three points on their license for jumping red lights at the crossing, and the pedestrians were fined £50 for using the crossing as its barriers were coming down.

Three other drivers had their cars seized for driving without a license, and one was given a court summons for driving without valid insurance.

Nine were given three points and a £60 fine for using their phone at the wheel, seven were fined £30 for driving without a seatbelt and one passenger was fined £80 for possession of cannabis.

Another driver had his un-roadworthy car banned from the road.

A police spokesman said there were more than 30 near misses at level crossings on the line that runs through Mitcham Eastfields last year.

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