Just 12 drivers a week in Kent are ticketed by police for using a mobile phone at the wheel – compared to almost 100 six years ago.

Startling figures just released reveal the dramatic drop at a time when budget cuts have forced police chiefs to slash frontline staff.

The number of speeding motorists stopped by officers has also decreased dramatically, from almost 120 a week to just 19.

The force admits there are fewer officers to spot and deal with traffic offences.

Supt Mat Newton said: “There have been well-documented budget cuts to policing, which has left us with fewer officers and handling increased demand.

“But although the number of tickets issued has fallen we continue to police traffic offences and work with our partners to provide safety education to road users.”

Road safety charity Brake, however, says traffic policing needs to be made a national priority.

“Officers need more resources to remove dangerous drivers from our roads, including those who use mobile phones while driving,” a spokesman said.

“Driving is an incredibly involved task, where even a momentary lack of focus can be fatal.”

In 2014, 22 people in Britain were killed by drivers distracted by mobile phones.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling says the practice is “as socially unacceptable as drink or drug-driving”.

New legislation set to be introduced this year will see motorists on mobiles hit with harsher penalties, with the current three-point penalty and £100 fine doubled to six points and £200.

Supt Newton predicts the new sanctions will reduce the number of offenders on the county’s roads.

“This should act as a strong deterrent and Kent Police will enforce any new measures that are designed to make our roads safer,” he said.

“Motorists should make it clear to their friends and family that if they are driving they will not use their phone and risk causing injury to themselves or others.”

It is not yet clear whether under the new sanctions offenders will still be offered places on driver awareness courses – a measure opted for in almost half of the 608 cases in Kent last year.

Motorists attending courses avoid points on their licence but must pay an £87 fee – £35 of which goes to Kent Police.

“There is only one thing you get for less and that is less" - Ian Pointon

The force has pocketed £5.7 million from the council-provided courses in the last six years, with the money ploughed back into enforcement and road safety initiatives.

But it still faces huge funding shortfalls, which will likely see further cuts to frontline staff.

The force has lost 500 officers and 700 police staff since 2010.

Kent Police Federation chairman Ian Pointon said: “It was clear from the start that cuts of such magnitude would have consequences. The position that you get more for less I always held to be nonsense.

“There is only one thing you get for less and that is less. We are now witnessing the consequences of this flawed theory.

“It is not rocket science.”