Five New Community Speedwatch Groups Set Up in Warwickshire

Warwickshire Police is delighted to welcome twenty newly trained volunteers to five new Community Speedwatch (CSW) groups in the county.

CSW is a national initiative where active members of local communities join together to monitor speeds of vehicles in their local area with support from the police.

The new CSW groups in Stretton-Upon-Dunsmore (Rugby Borough), Alveston, Tysoe, Brailes (Stratford-on-Avon District) and Warton (North Warwickshire) bring the total number of CSW groups to 42 across 84 approved sites in Warwickshire.

Gary Strain, CSW Road Safety Officer said “Speeding is a real concern for many communities and our CSW volunteers play a valuable role in encouraging drivers to think about the speed they are travelling at and slow down in residential areas to help make Warwickshire’s roads safer for everyone. This complements our SNT, patrol, speed camera and mobile speed enforcement activities.

“Community SpeedWatch works and we are keen to grow the number of Community Speedwatch groups particularly in Nuneaton and Bedworth and will do everything we can to support volunteers to check speeds in their local communities.

“In February, 22 constables and PCSO’s from Nuneaton and Bedworth Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) were trained to use the UltraLite Speed Laser equipment so that they can carry out regular speed enforcement in the area using this device.  This training will also help them to better support any local volunteers who join CSW.”

Gary Strain continued “My role is to be a point of contact for CSW groups, collating results and ensuring volunteers receive appropriate training to give practical experience of using the UltraLite Speed Laser devices. Volunteers also receive a regular CSW newsletter to keep them up to date on CSW news and information and how they can help support national anti speeding campaigns.”

To ensure no CSW members or the public are put at risk, a full risk assessment is carried out for each group.

Any drivers found to be exceeding the speed limit are referred to Warwickshire Police and receive a letter with the aim of educating drivers to reduce their speeds and drive safer. However, in cases where education is ignored and there is evidence of repeat or excessive speeding offences, even across borders, follow up action will be taken and local drivers can expect a knock on the door from a local or Special Constable to discuss their driving behaviour.

If you are interested in forming a CSW group, please contact your local Safer Neighbourhood team in the first instance who will provide more information on the scheme. The details of your local SNT can be found by visiting www.warwickshire.police.uk and entering your location.

The call for CSW volunteers comes during a four week operation to educate and catch drivers committing the ‘Fatal 4’ offences. Not wearing a seatbelt, drink and drug driving, speeding and using a handheld mobile phone are called the Fatal 4 because they significantly contribute to collisions, injuries and fatalities.

For more info Community Speed Watch (warksroadsafety.org)

A Community Speed Pack is also available as well as how to submit a Speed Concern here Enforcement and Community (warksroadsafety.org)