PCC continues to make road safety a priority

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon has reaffirmed its commitment to road safety.

Today (16/7), a HMICFRS report has been published which states that more needs to be done by police forces and PCCs to focus on roads policing.

However, in Wiltshire and Swindon, this remains a priority for the PCC who continues to invest in and foster a multi-agency partnership approach to policing our roads.

Also, following the disbanding of the Tri-Force arrangements with neighbouring forces in 2018, roads policing came back under local control in Wiltshire meaning the number of roads policing assets here has increased - bucking the national trend.

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Jerry Herbert said: "Whilst we welcome this report and anything which promotes road safety, we have made great strides to improve the way our roads are policed.

"This has included continued investment in the Community Safety Partnerships, developing a strategic road safety group, ensuring that road safety is prioritised in the Police and Crime Plan and working with our partners to ensure a joined up approach.

"Enforcement is a small part of tackling road safety - education and engagement with our communities is right at the centre of what we are doing.

"During lockdown, for example, we saw the number of reports about poor or dangerous driving increase so we have supported a number of initiatives and campaigns aimed at proactively targeting those who are intent on speeding or driving in dangerous manner on our roads.

"I regularly go and meet with the local Community Speed Watch volunteers who are doing a fantastic job at monitoring speeding drivers in their communities.

"Although we are making good progress in Wiltshire and Swindon, there is, of course, still more to do and we are committed to doing all we can to make our county's roads as safe as they can be."

The Community Speed Watch scheme returned to Wiltshire and Swindon last week following its temporary postponement due to COVID-19.

The current pandemic put on hold their usual work, however following the easing of some restrictions, groups are now returning, with adapted practices to adhere to social distancing and Government guidelines.

Across the Force area there are 120 CSW schemes operated by approximately 1200 volunteers who regularly monitor the speed of traffic within their areas and provide Wiltshire Police with useful intelligence.