East Riding villagers mount speed patrols
VILLAGERS are to be trained by the police to use speed guns, in a drive to put a brake on motorists.
Pilot schemes are to go ahead in several villages, which could lead to the initiative being rolled out across the East Riding.
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From left, Emma Newlove, Rhys Newlove, nine, Gill Cuthbertson and Jade Newlove, six, of Beeford
Under the scheme, communities are expected to raise about £2,000 to buy a speed gun, which would become the property of Humberside Police.
The police will train volunteers in operating the equipment, as well as safety and managing hostile drivers.
Community speed watch volunteers, who will wear high-visibility clothing, will record the registration numbers of speeding vehicles and pass the details to the police.
Offenders will receive a letter saying they were breaking the speed limit and advising them not to do it again.
Persistent offenders will be warned they may be targeted by police and, if detected speeding, the driver will be prosecuted.
Volunteers from Beeford Neighbourhood Watch will be among the first to trial the initiative in the East Riding.
Six volunteers will be trained and will operate in pairs on the village's 30mph Main Street. Volunteer Gill Cuthbertson, 38, said: "We don't want to have to wait for a child or someone to be knocked down or killed – we want to do something about the speeding traffic now.
"Hopefully, this will be a deterrent for speeding drivers. They won't know what times we will be there. We could be there at any time.
"If we continue to get drivers who are constantly speeding, the police will take action."
Sergeant Dave Jenkins, who is leading the initiative at Beeford, said: "They will be expected to carry mobile phones, so if there are any problems they can phone us.
"Sometimes, police community support officers will be doing it with them."
He insisted the initiative was not policing on the cheap.
Sgt Jenkins said: "It's like Neighbourhood Watch – we are supporting them to deal with local issues."
Pilot schemes are also being considered for several villages in Holderness, including Burstwick and a cluster of villages on the B1445, between Patrington and Easington.
Chief Inspector Paul Cunningham, who is responsible for neighbourhood policing in the East Riding, said with 933 square miles to cover, officers could not be on every road.
Chief Insp Cunningham said: "When tackling community issues we look to involve the community as much as possible, because we recognise people want to be involved.
"When they are involved, they feel empowered, because they are resolving a problem to their satisfaction.
"It also frees up our resources for us to tackle other issues."
Councillor Peter Turner, chairman of the Holderness Local Action Team, is looking forward to the launch of the initiative in his area.
He said: "I think it is going to be marvellous and quite revolutionary if we get it going properly.
31 Comments
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by Steve, Hull
Thursday, July 23 2009, 6:43AM
“999 ring ring
Hello Police
There is someone pointing what looks like a gun at passing cars and its not a police officer!
Thanks your the 3rd report of this we will send the armed response car to find out what they are doing.”
by Jamie, Beverley
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 7:29PM
“I too will be stopping to have a "word" with these morons if I see them pointing a camera at me. I was under the impression it was illegal to photograph people without their permission.
I can see this leading to a visit to the dentist for some of these do gooders.”
by Phil, East Hull
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 4:56PM
“I for one would be stopping to speak to these village idiots and requesting to see a copy of the calibration certificate for that day as all hand held speed gun are meant to be tested daily and that would stand up in a court if needed. just ask mr loophole (celebrities lawyer)”
by leroy, east yorkshire
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 4:51PM
“It is troubling to read some of the comments condoning speeding in residential areas. Where I live I have to cross the road with my children to take them to school and the speed limit is 30mph. The road leads off into open countryside and the speed limit increases about half a mile along but some drivers still race along at speeds in excess of 60mph. In the rush hour it can be difficult to cross the road safely. It is a shame the police can't enforce this because some of the selfish and dangerous driving I witness daily would even be comdemned by viewers of top gear.”
by Phil, East Hull
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 4:37PM
“What a joke jobsworth idiots saying i will give my time up, do something more useful like help out the charaties like dove house and get a life will you. as for speeding i think it is about time speeds were altered, when 70mph was enforced and car took as long to stop as the highway code say the dinosaurs had not been gone long, wathc top gear car can do double the speed and still stop in a smaller distance. get the village idiot pedestrians off the roads and if they have to croos use something they should have been brough up with, common sense ROAD = VEHICLES MOVING AT HIGH SPEED. CAR/VAN VS PERSON NO CONTEST. LOOK WHERE YOU ARE GOING AND YOU WON'T DINT THE NICE CAR DRIVING ON THE ROAD. SIMPLE REALLY”
by Norman, Hull
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 4:19PM
“Don't fall out with you neighbour, if the police can clock a stationary brick wall doing 55 mph. woe betide anyone crossing the village commisar.”
by Chubbs, Hull
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 3:49PM
“The answers if you don't want to line the treasuries coffers don't speed!
Does seem a pointless exercise other than providing the Police with some new speed guns. Let the kids impose their own fines as a supplement to their pocket money.
No doubt a fair percentage who complain about the motorist being an easy target are the same cretins who pay the treasury a substantial amount of cash to purchase a personalised numberplate which invariably means nothing to anybody but the owner.
Just a little hint. If you want everybody to know your name get a windscreen sticker made. Its cheaper, you don't pay the government a huge wedge for it, and it quite clearly says what you mean without having to miss space/modify letters or use the mounting holes.”
by slippery sid, winchester club
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 3:40PM
“if these planks get in my way i won't hesitate to smack em one...get a life and a job and don't make the police any lazier than what they already are...”
by john, burton agnes
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 3:07PM
“if these men/women have that much time on there hands to do this total waste of time job.well they should get a proper job”
by Mike, Skirlaugh
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 2:18PM
“The "police state" is here”