Extra funding to tackle speeding announced

Extra funding to recruit additional enforcement officers and cameras in a bid to tackle persistent speeding issues has been announced by the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner.

Wiltshire Police already has one civilian Community Enforcement Officer, recruited earlier this year, to help support the county’s network of Community Speed Watch volunteers.

The additional investment in enforcement will see two, new, Community Enforcement Officers recruited, alongside the purchase of additional camera equipment. 

The expanded team, which has its own enforcement capacity, will work closely with the Community Speed Watch volunteers to identify and target hotspots - increasing the deterrent value and effectiveness of the speed watch teams across the county.

PCC Philip Wilkinson, who met the Force's Community Enforcement Officer earlier this week and saw the camera in action, said: “Speeding is dangerous, it kills and blights communities: making crossing the road dangerous for the young and elderly and putting people off cycling or walking through their communities.

“Residents are concerned and this is echoed by Community Speed Watch volunteers - as a result road safety will be a key element in my upcoming Police and Crime Plan.

“They have told me how persistent speeding is ruining the villages and towns they live in, drivers have a blatant disregard for our volunteers, abuse them, and seemingly nothing is helping to change drivers’ behaviours so far and that is simply not good enough.

“I am delighted to be announcing this extra funding. More resources dedicated to targeting speeding will mean there will be more of a deterrent on our roads. People will be safer and that is our main aim.

"We must do everything in our power to keep people safe on the roads and in their communities.”

Extra funding

The extra funding was welcomed by Wiltshire Police.

Det Supt Chris Hanson, who is responsible for criminal justice and speed enforcement, said: “This is fantastic news, it underlines our commitment to keeping people safe on our roads.

"Speeding is anti-social and dangerous and the consequences can be catastrophic for families who lose a loved one. There is a clear correlation between enforcement of speed limits and a reduction in casualties.”

Currently, the Force’s enforcement officer uses the latest state-of-the-art, roadside, Home Office approved equipment and works alongside the volunteers to collate intelligence, developing a targeted enforcement approach across those communities where there are speeding issues.

Depending on the severity of the offence, drivers could be fined, summonsed to court or offered a driver improvement course.

Investment by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Wiltshire Police has already provided the current enforcement officer, camera equipment and streamlined back office processes to swiftly deal with enforcement and improved the system to administer the large level of intelligence provided the Community Speed Watch volunteers.

For more details about Community Speed Watch, visit: Community Speedwatch (wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk)