Residents across Dorset are taking to the streets to help crack down on speeding motorists in their neighbourhoods.
The Community Speed Watch scheme, which allows members of the public to monitor motorists’ driving behaviour in their area and pass on details to the police, continues to grow across the county.
The scheme, overseen by Dorset Police, means volunteers are trained in the use of a radar device and record information about speeding vehicles, which is then passed to the police who identify the registered keeper of the vehicle and then send out advisory letters.
Dorset Police sometimes accompany the Community Watch Speed teams during their sessions, operating a laser camera. Drivers who are detected speeding during these sessions, which are set to become more frequent, will receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution rather than a warning letter.
Last year teams in Dorset completed more than 1,000 Community Speed Watch sessions, with each session lasting an hour.
An award system has been introduced to recognise the commitment of the teams who are carrying out this work across the county.
Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill presented the first certificate to the Broadstone Community Speed Watch team near Poole for the completion of 100 sessions during 2018.
The Community Speed Watch scheme is managed through Dorset Road Safe in conjunction with Neighbourhood Policing Teams and supports the work of No Excuse traffic officers, the Camera Teams and driver education.
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill said: “Community Speed Watch is an incredible scheme which is provided thanks to the hard work of some incredibly committed people doing it for no reason other than a desire to help make sure roads in their neighbourhoods are safer for their fellow residents.
“The fact that 1,000 sessions took place last year speaks volumes about the dedication of the volunteers who are making this scheme happen.
“Alongside a range of other work such as enforcement and education, the scheme helped contribute to the fact that Dorset was the only county last year to report a drop in the number of those killed or seriously injured on our roads. This is a tremendous achievement and something we need to continue to build on.”
Setting up a Community Speed Watch Scheme requires a minimum of six volunteers from the local community and the support of their local parish or town council – often a ward councillor in urban areas.
Any residents who are concerned about speeding in their area and wants to find out more about Speed Watch should visit:
www.dorsetroadsafe.org.uk/enforcement-operations/community-speed-watch/
Pictured: Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill with Community Speed Watch volunteers.
