The number of offences recorded increased by more than 500% in two years in some areas
More than 350,000 red-light offences were recorded across Britain between 2023 and 2025, equivalent to one offence every four-and-a-half minutes, new data has revealed. Freedom of Information data obtained by cinch shows that 351,244 offences for failing to comply with a red traffic light were recorded by 26 police forces during the three-year period.
Recorded offences increased every year during the period analysed, rising by 37.5% between 2023 and 2025. The latest available figures also show a further 33,951 red-light offences were recorded between January and March 2026, averaging more than 377 offences every day, or around one every four minutes.
Ben Welham, motoring expert at cinch, said: “Driving through a red light often happens when drivers misjudge the timing of a light changing, or when they attempt to make it through a junction too late. However, failing to stop at a red light can put motorists, cyclists and pedestrians at serious risk, particularly at busy junctions where multiple lanes of traffic are moving at once.
“Even if a driver believes they have enough time to make it through safely, other road users may already be moving through the junction on a green signal.”
Red-light offences rose from 101,184 in 2023 to 139,139 in 2025, with a further 33,951 recorded during the first three months of 2026.
Red-light offences recorded by the 26 responding police forces:
- 2023 – 101,184 offences
- 2024 – 110,921 offences
- 2025 – 139,139 offences
- January to March 2026 – 33,951 offences
The Metropolitan Police Service recorded by far the highest number of red-light offences between 2023 and 2025, with 187,261 in total. The force alone accounted for more than half (53.3%) of all offences recorded by the responding police forces.
Outside London, Nottinghamshire Police recorded the highest number of offences (30,532), followed by Leicestershire Constabulary (23,296), Surrey Police (17,779) and Police Scotland (17,232).
The police force areas recording the highest number of red-light offences between 2023 and 2025:
- Metropolitan Police Service – 187,261 offences
- Nottinghamshire Police – 30,532 offences
- Leicestershire Constabulary – 23,296 offences
- Surrey Police – 17,779 offences
- Police Scotland – 17,232 offences
- Essex Police – 9,613 offences
- South Wales Police – 8,532 offences
- Cheshire Constabulary – 8,158 offences
- Hertfordshire Constabulary – 7,748 offences
- West Yorkshire Police – 6,894 offences
Afternoons are the most common time for red-light offences
Among police forces that provided detailed time-of-day breakdowns, afternoons were the most common time of day for red-light offences, accounting for more than a third of all offences recorded. Several police forces, including Leicestershire, Police Scotland, Suffolk, Norfolk and Bedfordshire, recorded their highest numbers of offences between 12pm and 4:59pm.
Ben added: “The data shows red-light offences aren’t limited to quieter periods of the day. Busy daytime traffic brings its own challenges, with more vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians all using the same junctions. Regardless of the time, drivers should always anticipate lights changing rather than assuming they’ll make it through.
“If you’re approaching traffic lights and they change to amber, the best option is to stop if it’s safe to do so. Trying to beat the lights might save a few seconds, but it can significantly increase the risk of a collision.”
Red-light offences rise by more than 500% in some areas
Several police force areas recorded sharp increases in red-light offences between 2023 and 2025, although differences in camera coverage and enforcement activity may have contributed to some of the variation.
Humberside Police saw the largest percentage increase, with offences rising from 299 in 2023 to 2,004 in 2025 – an increase of 570.2%.
West Mercia Police recorded the second-largest increase, with offences rising from 426 to 2,697 (+533.1%) between 2023 and 2025, while Nottinghamshire Police recorded a 245.6% increase during the same period, rising from 4,635 offences to 16,017.
The police force areas recording the largest percentage increases between 2023 and 2025:
- Humberside Police – up 570.2% (299 to 2,004 offences)
- West Mercia Police – up 533.1% (426 to 2,697 offences)
- Nottinghamshire Police – up 245.6% (4,635 to 16,017 offences)
- West Yorkshire Police – up 239.6% (1,268 to 4,306 offences)
- Devon and Cornwall Police – up 197.0% (1,136 to 3,374 offences)
Ben added: “These findings should serve as an important reminder for drivers to approach junctions with enough time to stop safely. Drivers should always leave enough space from the vehicle in front, approach junctions at an appropriate speed and avoid making last-second decisions when lights change.”
