Hundreds of banned drivers have been caught on Kent’s roads over the past year, as a charity warns more could be driving undetected.

More than 3,000 people across the county are serving driving bans today, with Maidstone revealed to have the highest number.

Police arrested 200 people countrywide for flouting the restriction, but one motoring expert said those figures could be higher.

Neil Greig, director of policy and research at the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said: “I’d say 200 seems quite low, we’d like to see it higher so banned drivers know if they get behind the wheel they will be caught.”

A Freedom of Information request submitted by our sister paper the Kent Messenger revealed there are 293 people prevented from driving in Maidstone - the highest in the county, compared to 101 in Tonbridge and 126 in Tunbridge Wells.

In Aylesford, there are 38 disqualifications, while there are 36 in Cranbrook, 30 in West Malling and 26 from Snodland.

During the last year, police in Maidstone have arrested 13 people for driving while disqualified, compared to 17 in Tonbridge and Malling and 14 in Tunbridge Wells.

Mr Greig said: “Most people who are banned aren’t likely to get into their cars, but the problem we find is a minority have no respect for the law.

“After speed awareness courses we encourage fines and a ban, then the next step is prison, but I’m not aware of anything the prison service is doing to talk to people about driving offences.

“We see people coming out of prison, stealing cars and getting caught speeding time and time again.”

Inspector Jonathan Hambly said police regularly run operations targeting dangerous drivers, including those who are banned.

“Issuing driving bans sends a clear message that there are consequences for their actions.”