Community Speed Watch Pilot Launched

Today we are jointly launching a three-week Community Speed Watch Scheme pilot in Thornton Curtis, North Lincolnshire.

Why are we doing the trial?

Residents, particularly in rural communities, want to help reduce the number of speeding vehicles on their streets.  We can assist them by establishing and training a volunteer group who will use speed cameras to record speeding motorists.

Hundreds of similar schemes are in operation across the country and this North Lincolnshire pilot will enable us to establish whether we should look at rolling further schemes out across the Humberside Police area.

The aim of the trial is to test the water and see if there is a way we can continue to make a positive change to drivers’ behaviours. The eight volunteers taking part in this pilot scheme will work alongside our local Community Policing teams and have access to the latest equipment in order to monitor the speeds of motorists.  Anyone found to be speeding will receive a warning letter.

It is hoped that receiving a warning will serve as a reminder to keep a close eye on your speed and make drivers slow down.

This is not a lucky escape for anyone caught speeding, it is simply a reminder that speeding will not be tolerated by local residents or police and to obey the speed limit.

This scheme forms part of our drive to educate motorists about the dangers of travelling at excessive speeds on our regions’ roads.  Should a motorist be seen repeatedly travelling at excess speed through an area we will look at taking further appropriate action.

Chief Supt Darren Wildbore from Humberside Police said: "Joining the Police and Crime Commissioner and Local Authority in helping our residents in towns and villages to reduce speeding motorists on their streets is something I am happy for us to support. We have supported the volunteers in their training and will continue to do so throughout this pilot scheme.”

"As with all neighbourhood schemes that help to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour we support the trial wholeheartedly.  Once the trial has been completed we can look at the findings and see what the best course of action going forward is.

"These volunteers are residents who want to make a difference in their village and we are working with them to make their community safer and stronger for everyone living there.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Keith Hunter said: "There has always been a persistent problem with drivers speeding in all our towns and villages but particularly in rural areas. Communities tell me time and again how this inconsiderate behaviour blights their lives and how they want to help the police to reduce it.

“I have always said I want more power passed to communities and this trial looks to give residents what they have been asking for. We have received numerous requests for a Speed Watch scheme in other towns and villages so I will be monitoring the results of the trial to see if it makes a difference and if it should be rolled out further.”    

Cllr Richard Hannigan, cabinet member for Safer, Greener and Cleaner Places at North Lincolnshire Council, said: “I’m pleased to be joining forces with Humberside Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner on this great initiative that will give residents ownership of the scheme which will ultimately help cut the number of speeding motorists and accidents.

“We will see how the pilot goes and if it is a success, will look to roll this out to other areas. Residents in the pilot area are helping make a real difference and their support is invaluable.”