More than 20,000 Londoners were caught using their phone while driving in 2013, new figures reveal.
The statistics - from the Metropolitan Police - shows 20,084 people were given fixed penalty notices for using a mobile phone while driving in 2013, the latest year for which data is available.
This was a slight decrease from the 20,679 caught in 2012, and in 2011 the number was 24,627.
Throughout the whole of England and Wales, 52,000 such notices were issued in 2013, a significant decline compared to 92,000 in 2012 and 123,000 in 2011.
This works out as a 43% drop between 2012 and 2013, and a 58% drop between 2011 and 2013. Only three police forces recorded an increase in drivers using their phones while driving during this period.
All fixed penalty notices issued for using a handheld mobile while driving are endorsable offences, meaning that as well as having to pay a fine drivers also receive penalty points on their licence.
