Police to target speeding hotspots
Last updated 05:16, Friday, 28 November 2008
BRAMPTON police are set to target speeding hotspots identified by a community crackdown on fast drivers.
Brampton Speedwatch scheme was launched in August in response to worries about people driving too fast through the busy market town.
Volunteers were trained to use a speed gun and have been taking to the streets in pairs.
Those caught speeding are sent a letter by local police, followed by a second warning letter if they reoffend.
All details were logged on a data base and this intelligence is now being used by local police.
Officers, with support from the Cumbria Safety Camera Unit, will now begin targeting local roads where it has been identified that motorists continue to speed.
Sergeant Paul Jenner from Brampton police said: “For a time now Brampton Community Speed Watch has been monitoring roads in the town. We have sent warning letters to people who have been recorded as breaking the speed limit and we have noticed a marked improvement in driver behaviour.
“There are, however, some roads that continue to cause concern and as a result we will be out enforcing the speed limit in these hotspot areas.
“Anyone caught speeding by our officers or the safety camera vans will be issued with a fine and will receive points on their licence.”
Sgt Jenner added: “The objective of the Community Speed Watch is to reduce the speed of vehicles and so far this is happening.
“I would like to thank the volunteers who give up their time to help make Brampton a safer place to live and work, and I would like to warn motorists who continue to flout the speed limit that speeding will not be tolerated in Brampton.”
Following the success of the residents’ crackdown, a second scheme has been rolled out in Corby Hill.
The volunteer-led Speedwatch project is being run with the help of the Brampton policing team, as well as local councillor William Graham.
