Speed watch - keeping us safe

A few hours volunteering can make a massive difference and save lives. 

This may be a good headline to grab your attention but this statement is true when it comes to the Community Speed Watch volunteers; read my open letter to them during Volunteers' Week: 

Dear colleague,

Volunteers play an important role in how we police our county, and here in Wiltshire we are lucky to have so many people who want to give their time for the benefit of our communities.

Community Speed Watch is a great example of how a community can work together to address an issue that affects so many, and that can have a wide reaching and devastating impact.

This Volunteers' Week I wanted to write to you to let you know that the time you give to your community, out at the roadside, organising the team or processing the data does not go unnoticed.

Addressing the issue of speeding vehicles is important and stopping the behaviour of drivers is difficult and challenging. We tackle the problem through engineering, education and enforcement, and in a rural county like Wiltshire the role you and your teams play in raising awareness and the identification and education of drivers is so important.

I want to thank you for the part you are playing in making our roads safer.

2019 has seen a change to the team that supports Citizens in Policing, and I am pleased to say there are more dedicated roles to support Community Speed Watch. We have also just welcomed back our roads policing unit to the Force, following a number of years as a shared Tri-Force resource.

I hope in time these changes along with support from Community Policing Teams and the Special Constabulary will ensure you have the right support to enable you to have more impact in our community and continue in what is a very worthwhile role.

I know both my office and Wiltshire Police truly value the work of Community Speed Watch, and again I would like to reiterate my thanks for the support you give us.

Yours sincerely

Angus Macpherson MBE