Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner visits community speedwatch in Highworth

Nearly eighty drivers were caught speeding following a targeted day of action in Highworth on Sunday (February 6).

Twelve members of the Highworth Community Speedwatch Group were joined by the Deputy Police & Crime Commissioner, Russell Holland and officers from Wiltshire's Road Policing Unit as they took part in a six hour operation on Cricklade Road.

Seventy-nine motorists were found to be breaking the speed limit with a number of them given words of advice or a fixed penalty notice.

Deputy Police & Crime Commissioner Holland said:

“We are very grateful to the community speedwatch volunteers who so diligently give their free time to keep people safe on the roads in Highworth. 

"We always receive feedback about speeding and the Commissioner has invested in new mobile enforcement cameras and staff to help tackle speeding. 

"This is a great example of partnership working and how communities can work alongside the Police to make Wiltshire safer.”

The decision to run the operation followed research by the community speedwatch team who found that there was a sharp increase in the number of speeding drivers on Cricklade Road during the weekend. 

Highworth Team leader, Simon, said

"With the support of officers from Wiltshire Police we were able to get the message over to motorists that speeding will not be tolerated in our town. During the day, the percentage of speeding vehicles was far lower than we usually see.

"By keeping an accurate record of the data from all our sessions we are able to see the specific roads, days and times where drivers are choosing to speed.

"This enables us to not only focus on these periods and locations but also enables Wiltshire Police to target the enforcement they are able to provide to make the most of their resources"

During 2021, the team conducted 585 sessions and reported 8549 vehicles to Wiltshire Police.