AS COMMUNITY Speed Watch reaches its 10th anniversary in Worcestershire, communities are being reminded about the scheme and how volunteers can get involved in speed monitoring and improve the quality of life in their area if speeding traffic is causing concern.
Speed Watch was launched in Crowle, since then, over 75 local groups in total have been formed across Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and Worcestershire.
To mark the milestone, Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion and Deputy Chief Constable Richard Cooper went out on patrol with the Community Speed Watch scheme in Drakes Broughton, Pershore.
Community Speed Watch is a community driven road safety initiative, coordinated by West Mercia Police but managed and run by volunteers in the community.
It involves trained volunteers from the community monitoring the speeds of vehicles with approved, hand-held speed measurement devices.
Where vehicle speeds are found to be inappropriate, a letter is sent to the registered keeper by the police with the aim of encouraging them to reduce their speed when driving in the future.
There are currently over 45 active sites currently operating across the force area.
The scheme was introduced to enhance the force’s speed enforcement strategy by addressing community concerns in areas that do not meet either speed or collision criteria for police-led enforcement.
Deputy Chief Constable Richard Cooper, West Mercia Police said: “We are very proud of the Community Speed Watch scheme and would like to thank everyone involved as we reach the 10th anniversary.
“First and foremost, thank you to our CSW volunteers running the scheme in their local areas.
“They give up their time to monitor speeds to try and make their community a safer place and their contribution is immeasurable. Excessive or inappropriate speed continues to affect the quality of life for many communities across the three counties.
“As part of our continued support towards the Local Policing Charter, CSW enables communities to take an active role in addressing concerns about speeding traffic. “We would also like to thank the many others involved in setting up new CSW schemes including our Safer Neighbourhood Team officers, Force Community Speed Watch Coordinators and our town and parish council partners.
“In many areas where CSW is already in place, local residents have seen a positive change in driver behaviour and compliance with the speed limit and we look forward to replicating those results across more areas in the future.”
A Community Speed Watch scheme is initiated when ‘speeding traffic’ has been identified as a community road safety concern by a parish council or safer neighbourhood team.
However, a number of criteria must be met before a scheme can be established including, no other enforcement activity is currently in place, speed checks must be conducted by at least three volunteers at any one time and there must be at least six volunteers in each Community Speed Watch scheme.
Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “It’s brilliant to see the difference Community Speed Watch schemes are playing to ensure roads are safer across West Mercia.
“The time and effort the volunteers put into the scheme does not go unnoticed.
“They are a driving force in educating motorists about their speed and helping to reduce the excessive harm too often caused on our roads.
“As PCC, I remain committed to empowering people and giving them the resources they need to influence positive change in their community.”
In areas where community concerns about speeding are raised, speed data will be collected by West Mercia Police to determine the nature of the problem and action will be taken accordingly.
Any new Community Speed Watch schemes are evaluated periodically to ensure they are having a positive impact on vehicle speed, driver behaviour and community reassurance.
To raise concerns about speeding traffic, contact your local parish council.
