Five police motorbikes were deployed across Maitland, Cessnock and Raymond Terrace on Monday for the five-day operation.

Hunter Highway Patrol supervisor Senior Sergeant Tony Grace said the total number caught on their phones by motorbike police was down from the last motorcycle operation, when 23 were busted for the offence.

“I’m happy with that,” he said. “I would be concerned if it increased.

However Senior Sergeant Grace did concede the amount of officers was down from six last time and that some resources were pulled off the operation at the end of the week to assist with bushfires in Port Stephens.

More concerning however were the speeding results, with 73 tickets were issued by the motorcycle police to drivers going too fast.

The motorcycle police also handed out 57 other infringement notices, three seatbelt tickets and detected one high-range drink driver.

The figures were recorded solely by the five police on bikes and didn’t include any infringements issued by highway patrol officers in cars during the week.

Senior Sergeant Grace said the aim of the motorcycle deployment was to make drivers think and be more aware.

“The idea is about being seen,” he said. “The bikes attract attention.” 

However, he issued a warning to drivers ahead of the next motorcycle operation from September 3 to 7.

“Sixteen mobile phones and three without seatbelts is still too many,” he said. “They’re both conscious decisions.