1st September 2010

CHIDEOCK: Chideock residents to become community speed watchers

by Tom Glover

SPEEDING drivers in Chideock will now be monitored by villagers after the Community Speed Watch scheme was officially launched.

In response to concerns about speeding in Chideock, Dorset Police have launched the scheme, giving local residents more opportunities to tackle the issue in their community.

Community Speed Watch, which allows members of the public to monitor motorists’ speed and pass on details to the police, has been successfully piloted in other parts of West Dorset, and could be extended further if successful in Chideock.

The scheme enables highly visible trained police volunteers to raise awareness of speeding vehicles and help control the problem locally by using a camera device and recording the registration numbers of speeding vehicles.

Staff from Dorset Police will oversee the speed checks, and will contact the registered keeper of each vehicle, notifying them of the speed that each vehicle was travelling. Details will be retained, and repeat offenders residing in Dorset will be visited by an officer.

The initiative is being used in addition to normal speed offence enforcement action taken by Dorset Police.

Residents of Chideock have identified speeding as one of their priorities through the PACT (Partners and Communities Together) process, and in response, Bridport officers have increased the number of speed checks that are being carried out in the area.

Inspector Caroline Naughton, Bridport Section Commander said: “We are working with residents of Chideock so that they are able to monitor speeds in their area. We will then take appropriate action, including – if such behaviour is persistent – our own enforcement activity, which may lead to prosecution.

“By taking part in Community Speed Watch, local residents can do something positive to reduce speeding and I encourage residents to support the initiative.

“I want to stress that Dorset Police will continue to carryout enforceable speed checks in Chideock in addition to the launch of Community Speed Watch. Any suggestion that the Community Speed Watch Scheme is a direct replacement for speed cameras or the work of police officers carrying out speed checks is entirely wrong, and this scheme will empower local people to have an impact on the issue that bothers them – speeding.”

Inspector Naughton added: “Some recent reports relating to Community Speed Watch have been misleading and, as police volunteers, members of this scheme have received full training, are fully insured, have direct communication with Dorset Police, and will on many occasions be accompanied by a member of the Bridport Police section.”

CHIDEOCK: Chideock residents to become community speed watchers

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