People living in Hambrook are being asked to help put the brakes on speeding drivers.
Neighbourhood PC Claire Reeves said: “Local people have voted speeding and problem parking one of the main priorities at the Hambrook Safer Stronger Community Group meeting.
“People are worried about drivers speeding through the village – especially near the school.
“Inconsiderate parking near the school is also a problem, making it difficult for children to cross safely.”
The Neighbourhood Team – Police Community Support Officer John Hitchings and PC Reeves – do carry out high-visibility patrols in the roads around the school during the peak ‘school run’ times – but they can’t always be there.
PC Reeves said: “In other areas similar problems have been successfully tackled with the help of local volunteers running a Speed Watch scheme.
“We’re hoping to set up a similar scheme for Hambrook, so we’re asking for volunteers to help make the village safer for everyone.”
The scheme involves volunteers using a speed gun and taking the registration details of any speeding vehicles. The neighbourhood team then send motorists a warning letter.
PC Reeves said the volunteers would get full training and the equipment needed to run the scheme, which with enough volunteers could only take a couple of hours a month.
If a vehicle is reported as persistently speeding, details could be passed to the specialist Road Policing Unit for targeted intervention. Alternatively, the volunteers could be joined by a police officer who can issue a penalty there and then.
Anyone who wants to join the volunteer group can contact the neighbourhood team at Filton Police Station by calling 0845 456 7000 or e-mailing ssnfilton@avonandsomerset.police.uk.
Source: Avon and Somerset Police
