More than 200 drivers a day were caught using their mobile phones illegally in the wake of a major crackdown.

Police forces in Britain penalised almost 6,000 motorists for the offence in the four weeks after tougher punishments took effect, equivalent to one every seven minutes, latest figures have revealed.

In Cumbria, a total of 35 drivers were caught using their mobile phones illegaly between March 1 and 28.

Campaigners claimed the “worrying” findings suggest many drivers are ignoring repeated warnings about the dangers of using phones at the wheel despite a string of publicity campaigns and the risk of harsher sanctions.

From March 1, those who fall foul of the rules have faced receiving six points on their licence and a £200 fine – up from the previous penalty of three points and £100. The changes mean new drivers risk losing their licence for sending a single text.

Calls for efforts to curb illegal mobile phone use intensified in the wake of a string of high-profile cases and research indicating that it is widespread.

Figures obtained following Freedom of Information requests show forces recorded 5,977 instances of the practice in the four weeks after the clampdown was rolled out alongside a nationwide police campaign.

The actual figure is likely to be higher as seven forces did not provide figures and some cases may not have been logged at the time FOI responses were issued.

Incidents reported include a man who was spotted doing his online banking while driving along the M5 near Birmingham, a woman who was responding to a message about her lost puppy being found, a lorry driver who was fined for texting while travelling along the M2 in Kent, and a driver who was on his phone while behind the wheel of a school minibus with 10 children on board in Manchester.