speedwatch

The Worlington Community Speed Watch scheme has been running for many years and allows members of our community to address concerns about speeding on local roads by becoming actively involved in road safety. It addresses the problem of speeding in the village through the joint work of the police, the local community and Worlington Parish Council.

We aim to help reduce speed in areas of concern for local residents and to make drivers aware that excessive speed within posted limits is socially unacceptable.

Suffolk Police are committed to achieving casualty reduction targets and reducing the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads. The Police aim to provide the right level of reassurance and enforcement checks in every community that wants them on a regular basis.  However, Officers cannot carry out speed enforcement checks in every community that would like to request one.

The Community Speed watch programme empowers communities to play an active role alongside the Safety Camera Partnership in tackling the problems of speeding in their neighbourhood.

As part of the Community Speed watch programme, trained volunteers verify and record the registration number of vehicles seen to breaking the speed limit.

These details are forwarded to the Safety Camera Partnership within 48 hours. A “warning letter” is then sent to the register owner of the vehicle, requesting them to keep their speed down.  If the vehicle is seen and recorded again a second and final letter will be sent. Persistent offenders may be targeted further.

Each district has a designated Community Engagement Officer (CEO) who can provide support and assistance.

Vehicles captured travelling at high speeds and registered in the county, will be reported to the CEOs for further action.

To set up a scheme

  • You must have a minimum of 6 volunteers.
  • All the volunteers must be over 18 years old.
  • Each scheme must have a Co-ordinator (who will be the point of contact for the team) and where possible a Deputy.
  • The Parish (or local) Council support the scheme.
  • You will have to sign a CSW agreement and be vetted.
  • Equipment will be provided by the Constabulary
  • Training will be provided on using the equipment and on Health and Safety issues.
  • Volunteers will be covered by the Constabulary’s insurance.
  • Locations chosen will assessed by the Constabulary.

If you would like to set up a Community Speed Watch scheme or for further information on CSW by email at communityspeedwatch@suffolk.police.uk

Community Speed Watch is a community operated initiative designed to allow volunteers to officially monitor and report to the Police details of speeding vehicles in areas of concern to the community. Community Speed Watch is not enforcement.

The Community Speed Watch initiative allows members of the community to address speeding issues by becoming actively involved in road safety, using speed detection equipment to monitor speeds from safe locations.

Whilst all of the road safety partners are working together to achieve casualty reduction targets and reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads we cannot expect Police Officers to carry out enforcement checks in every community on a regular basis. This is where Community Speed Watch can help by working with the partnership.

Our aim is NOT to catch as many speeding drivers as possible but to raise awareness that excessive speeds are socially unacceptable. We aim to reduce speed in areas of concern and address issues from communities by raising awareness.

 

How does Community Speedwatch work?

Community Speed Watch volunteers monitor vehicles from designated sites which have been risk assessed and approved by the police. Our volunteers use a police approved hand-held speed detection device to check the speed of vehicles and any vehicles recorded driving 24+ mph in 20mph (Suffolk only)zone, 35+ mph in 30mph zone and 46+ mph in 40mph (Norfolk only) zone are written down on a monitoring sheet. The details recorded are time, date, site, make, model, colour, registration and speed.

These details are sent to the CSW Administrator for processing. A PNC (Police National Computer) check is run on the vehicle and the registered keeper’s information is obtained and a letter is sent.

First offence – Letter is sent to the registered keeper advising details of the offence and a reminder of the effects of their action

Second offence – Follow up letter is sent to registered keeper with stronger wording

Persistent offenders and High Speeders will be added to a tasking list and circulated for targeted police intervention

 Why are you using members of the public to monitor speed?

Communities across the region want to be involved in the battle to reduce speeds and are happy to donate time. All police volunteers are vetted, trained, supported and insured. As members of the extended policing family they also have 100% backing from Suffolk Police.  Should any police volunteer be abused or intimidated the offender will be dealt with according to criminal law.

 I have a speeding problem in my neighbourhood. What can I do?

If you and other members of the community think that speeding traffic has a dangerous or negative social impact on your area, then involve your local Parish Council as their support will be vital. If it appears that there are others who would like to volunteer to take an active role in speed monitoring, then forming a group is a good next step - maybe there are other small parish councils nearby with similar issues you could link into, making a geographical connection to a common purpose?

Contact your local Community Speed Watch at:

Suffolk: communityspeedwatch@suffolk.police.uk

We will be able to guide you through the process, and will facilitate training, risk assessments, and liaison with your local Neighbourhood Policing Team.

 

Can I join a Community Speed Watch team for a day to see what it’s like?

Unfortunately, no, only properly inducted and trained police volunteers are able to carry out monitoring duties because of insurance issues. Your local policing team will be able to discuss the scheme with you or put you in touch with someone that can.

 Are volunteers checked?

Volunteers must be over 18 years of age and will be subject to a vetting procedure.

 Are volunteers trained?

Volunteers are trained to use the equipment correctly, codes of conduct and Health and Safety issues. This knowledge is refreshed annually.

 How do you decide which sites to use?

Every Community Speed Watch location used for monitoring traffic will have been chosen by the community. Each site will then be risk assessed by the police, which will include the safe positioning for the signs used during monitoring sessions. Once evaluated and approved the police will issue a site code.

The personal safety of volunteers and motorists is a primary consideration. All sites will have been chosen to comply with the following conditions:

  • Safe for volunteers to operate at 
  • Able to safely accommodate equipment, including safe positioning of CSW signs 
  • Good visibility to motorists to maximise educational impact and reduce the risk of sudden reactions 
  • Have a police issued site code 

If these principles cannot be adhered to then a location is not suitable for deployment and will not be approved by Suffolk Community Speed Watch.

 

 

Do the volunteers have to follow any rules?

Yes, our volunteers must follow our rules of conduct. The safety of the volunteers and all road users is paramount.  

  • Volunteers must not stand in the road at any time. 
  • Volunteers must not obstruct the footpath. 
  • Approved high-visibility jackets must be worn at all times. 
  • Volunteers will only use approved equipment and will only use the equipment following final approval by the Constabulary. 
  • Volunteers will only use the equipment at locations which have been agreed in advance by the 
  • When traffic is being monitored, the signs provided will be placed and erected in accordance with the instructions given. 
  • The device must be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. 
  • Volunteers must not attempt to conceal their speed monitoring activities from passing motorists. 
  • Monitoring is to be undertaken by a minimum of three volunteers at any one time. 
  • It is strongly recommended that at least one volunteer be in possession of a mobile phone. 
  • Monitoring only should take place. NO signals or gestures are to be made to drivers. Volunteers MUST NOT attempt to stop any vehicle. 
  • Checks should be carried out in daylight hours and in 30mph and 40mph speed limit areas only.