Sign up to Community Speedwatch
The Police and Crime Commissioner is calling on communities to help in the fight against speeding
To help improve road safety in the Thames Valley, Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber is encouraging people to sign up to Community Speedwatch.
Groups across the Thames Valley are being encouraged to join the scheme where they can apply to receive a starter kit, including a speed detection device, to help their volunteers monitor and tackle speeding within their communities.
Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner said: “We know that speedwatch schemes can be a deterrent to speeding drivers.
“Unlike older schemes, Community Speedwatch enables effective communication between groups and the police. As a result, the police are better able to target persistent offenders and hotspot locations, ultimately reducing the number of people speeding on our roads and potentially saving lives.
“I am pleased to see there is a growing number of groups joining the scheme. We have 187 groups operating to date, equating to over 1,000 volunteers. It forms a key role in our work to improve road safety and I encourage those that haven’t yet signed up, or anyone interested in starting a group, to get on board. We also seek to continue to improve the programme and provide even better support for volunteers as the scheme grows.”
Lee Turnham, Thames Valley Police Community Speedwatch Coordinator said: I am delighted at the level of interest in the scheme to date. Residents regularly report concerns about speeding and we know the dangers this can present on some of our roads. I hope to see the number of groups signing up continue to increase, helping to make our roads safer.
In addition to the loan of equipment, Community Speedwatch has an online platform that allows group-related activities to be self-regulated via an online calendar. Volunteers receive online training, including vehicle make recognition training. Risk assessments are also completed by police to ensure safety at the roadside.
For further information and to register your interest in the Thames Valley Community Speedwatch scheme, please email SpeedWatch@thamesvalley.police.uk.
