A THREE-wheeled Reliant Robin driver is among a group of residents angry at being caught speeding by a police camera van parked on a “safe” road.

Harley Monk, 74, had a clean driving licence for more than 50 years until he was photographed by the van travelling at 35mph in a 30mph zone in Scotton Road, Catterick Garrison, earlier this year.

His friend, Ayub Bhatti, 60, from Scotton, who was also caught out by the North Yorkshire Police vehicle, said every second person he talked to had received a ticket.

He said: “It’s just a money-making ploy and they’re taking the mickey.

“We are law abiding people but we’re being targeted when there must be more important things for them to be doing.”

Mr Bhatti’s daughter, Sima Younis, 28, of Catterick Village, also received a ticket from the van for travelling five miles an hour over the speed limit.

She said: “We’re not doing 50, 60 or 70mph yet we’re getting these massive £100 fines when people are driving around without tax and insurance.

“They park around a corner just as you’re about to speed up to go up the hill.

“It would be a different matter if it was a residential area or there were schools but there aren’t.”

Mr Monk, also from Scotton, said it was a safe road, adding: “I’ve lived here for 21 years and I’ve never seen an accident on this road.”

The retired farmer drives the three-wheeler on a motorbike licence.

He revealed that he had overturned Reliants three times, including once when he ran over a beer bottle and the front tyre got a puncture, but he had never had a speeding ticket before.

North Yorkshire Police said the camera van manager was unable to comment on the van’s use in Scotton Road until next week.

A spokeswoman added: “All our safety camera routes are based on intelligence and analysis of statistics.

“The best way to avoid a fine is to adhere to the speed limits.”