Community SpeedWatch Volunteers WANTED

Last Updated on Tuesday, 15 February 2011 21:28 Written by Administrator Wednesday, 22 December 2010 10:29

• Could you spare some time to volunteer with police?
• Do you want to give something back and work within the community?
• Do you want to work towards creating a safer environment in your community

We are looking for keen and committed members of the community to help us set up a Community Speed Watch programme.

Speeding is one of the factors that most affects the quality of life in communities around Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.  It can contribute to road traffic collisions and impacts on the day to day lives of people in the community. You often tell us that speeding is one of the biggest community concerns in your area and as such we want to work with you to set up a Community SpeedWatch Programme. If you are interested in volunteering with your local policing team to set up a SpeedWatch programme then please get in touch by emailing or calling as shown below.

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Call – 0845 045 45 45

(Leaving Message for South of Butser Neighbourhood Team and a member of the team will be in touch)

Speed Watch Quick Facts

• Speed Watch Involves 3 members of the public on the side of the road for an hour, 1 using a speed gun with the two others noting details (Registration, colour, make, model, time and speed driven for speeding vehicles at as well as the overall amount of vehicles passing)
• Advisory letters sent to vehicles registered owners if travelling at speed which would have been enforced if police officer had enforced (E.G. 25mph in 20, 35mph in 30 and 46mph in 40)
• Volunteers will receiving full training in use of speed gun, health and Safety of working around the road as well conflict reduction training.
• This is NOT a soft option but has proven to work. EG Small town in the south of Avon and Somerset saw a reduction in the percentage of drivers speeding from 7.8% to 1% in an hour period in the week with 7% to 2% on a Saturday morning. This is from a 7 year period since the scheme begun.
• The issue at the moment is that enforcement can NOT occur without grounds, like Road Collision data or SID (Speed Indicator Device) showing that speeding is occurring but this can take a long time and does not always support action. This scheme reduces speeding in its own right and if it is shown through it data to have a continued speeding problems then us, the local beat team will enforce leading to Fixed Penalty notices with points on drivers licenses or Driver Awareness Training.
• Only ask volunteers to give up 2 hours a month but can be more if they wish as well as half a day for training. Cost like mileage can be claimed. Due to the cost of training it is asked that a year in total is committed.
• There are roles also available for a Co-ordinator and administrator to assist in this scheme for people unable to commitment to external work or can give more time. The aim is to gain 20 volunteers in total but the scheme can work with as little as 6.
• This will cover Horndean, Clanfield and Rowlands Castle with the time between each area been spread between as evenly as possible.
• Funding for equipment is be gained / sought from local parish councils as well as crime reduction partnership.

THIS IS ONLY SUCESSFUL IF THE COMMUNITY GET INVOLVED SO PLEASE THIS SMALL COMMITMENT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED