17,000 clocked by record total of Norfolk speed watch groups

There were 101 active Community Speed Watch groups with a total of 910 volunteers taking part across the county last year, predominantly in small towns and villages.

That is double the number of groups in 2016 and 10 more than the pre-Covid highest total of 91 in 2018 and 2019.

Community Speed Watch teams are given speed guns to carry out visible roadside patrols (Image: Newsquest)

Although not empowered to issue fines, the scheme has been hailed by police as an effective deterrent.

Volunteers are issued with speed radar guns, signs and reflective jackets and carry out checks in 30mph and 40mph limits.

Registered owners whose vehicles are clocked breaking the limit have their details recorded and are sent warning letters telling them to keep their speed down.

The groups issued 17,146 letters last year - almost 47 every day and 638 in one week, a report to Norfolk’s police and crime panel has revealed.

Last year chief constable Paul Sanford said the constabulary was exploring how to better use the information passed to them by Community Speed Watch groups to target speeding hot-spots in villages.

The report, to be discussed this week, states: “The work of the Community Speed Watch schemes continue to guide and assist the safety camera partnership to proactively target speeding issues of public concern.”

Speed Watch teams are not empowered to issue fines but warning letters are sent to speeding motorists (Image: Newsquest)

The scheme, launched in 2007, is aimed at empowering local communities.

The number of speeders clocked by volunteers last year was higher than 2021 and more than three times the number recorded in 2016.

A freedom of information request revealed Attleborough Community Speed Watch volunteers recorded the highest number of speeders in 2021, followed by North Walsham, Spixworth, Docking, Little Dunham and Great Massingham.

In total 94,839 warning letters have been sent to speeders in the last seven years.