Surrey Police has insisted it is taking antisocial driving in Leatherhead seriously after the town was named as the third worst speeding hotspot in the country.

The force has run a community speed watch scheme in Leatherhead, and teamed up with Surrey County Council to launch the Drive Smart campaign.

More than one in five motorists in the market town has a conviction for driving too fast in the last five years, according to a survey by insurers Admiral.

Sergeant Bert Dean, neighbourhood support team sergeant for Mole Valley, said: "While these figures state Leatherhead has the third highest number of drivers who have a speeding conviction, this doesn't necessarily mean the offences were committed in Leatherhead itself.

“Having said that, we are listening to residents' concerns and have focused our activities where there are speed and antisocial driving related issues.

"To combat community concerns we have already targeted key locations such as in the vicinity of schools, as well as roads which lead into towns, villages and built up areas.

“Regular speed checks are carried out, as well as the use of signage and vehicle speed activation equipment. We will also use enforcement where and when it is needed and this has led to people receiving a court summons or fixed penalty notice for driving offences, some of whom may be Leatherhead residents.”

He added: "I hope the public feels reassured that we do take the issue of antisocial driving and speeding seriously and will use the powers available to us to tackle the issue in areas where it is needed."

Leatherhead had 23.1 per cent of its motorists with a speeding conviction. Radlett, in Hertfordshire, was top with 25.7 per cent.

Sue Longthorn, managing director of Admiral, said: “Our statistics show a worrying trend that people see a speed limit as simply a guide rather than a speed that’s appropriate for that road.”