Volunteers in Saffron Walden needed for community speed watch team

Police officers at Saffron Walden are seeking volunteers to join a proposed new Community Speed Watch team in the town.

Volunteers from the community will be shown how to use a laser speed device to monitor and record the speed of vehicles at locations chosen by police.

Results of the checks are then sent to officers at the Essex Police Casualty Reduction Section who will contact the registered keepers of vehicles found to have exceeded the speed limit.

Log sheets from the community speed watch team will also be analysed to establish whether additional police enforcement measures are needed to reduce the problem.

Community speed watch started in 2006 in response to local community concerns. Excessive vehicle speeds remain one of the main problems highlighted at local meetings between police and residents and speeding is a contributory factor in many road collisions.

More than 80 speed watch teams are currently active in Essex and while police are responsible for enforcing speed limits the teams allow residents to get involved and to make a difference in their local communities.

Anyone who would like to join the proposed speed watch team at Saffron Walden should contact Sgt Tim Scott or the local specialist officer, Pc Jack Russell, by calling 101.