VOLUNTEERS are being sought to set up Community Speed Watch schemes in four areas of Redditch.
The projects are being introduced to Batchley, Church Hill, Greenlands and Woodrow where speeding motorists have been highlighted as an issue.
Community Speed Watches have been run within the West Mercia Police area for the past eight years with the forces co-ordinating it and community volunteers carrying out the checks.
The schemes are run alongside the usual operations and enforcement carried out by police officers.
Volunteers are trained to use handheld devices which measure vehicle speeds.
When motorists’ speed is inappropriate in that area, a letter is sent to the registered keeper to encourage them to slow down.
Since their introduction in 2014 to address residents’ concerns, Community Speed Watch has gone from strength-to-strength and there are now more than 40 active sites.
To qualify for a scheme, the area must be identifies 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 – these include the roads having a 30mph or 40mph speed restriction, data collected by West Mercia Police must show speed levels in the area do not meet national industry requirements for police enforcement and no other similar projects can be in place.
Each Community Speed Watch needs at least six volunteers, speed checks must be conducted by at least three of them at any one time.
Supt Gareth Morgan, West Mercia Police said: “Excessive or inappropriate speed continues to affect the quality of life for many communities across West Mercia.
“As part of our continued support towards the Local Policing Charter, we are enabling local communities to take an active role in addressing concerns about speeding traffic.”
Anyone wanting to volunteer for one of the speedwatch schemes in Batchley, Church Hill, Greenlands and Woodrow should email PC James Roberts at [email protected] for more information.
