Speedwatch Presentation January 2023

Report on Speedwatch Presentation January 2023

I attended a Speedwatch presentation organised by the Okehampton Town Clerk. There were representatives from Sampford Courtenay, Horrabridge, Okehampton and Inwardleigh. The presentation was led by a West Devon and Lewdown Councillor, Terry Southcott who co-ordinates Speedwatch groups in Lewdown, Sourton and Lydford.

Speedwatch can work in 20, 30, 40 or 50 MPH zones, but not national speed limit zones. It is an educating and behaviour changing method. NB It has only been operating in this organised, nationwide, online method for a few years.

Community Speedwatch is overseen by the police, but anybody can start one by registering on the website. A co-ordinator needs to be trained by the police, and can then train all the other volunteers. There is no police vetting of people, anybody can volunteer or register to start a group. The sites at which they operate have to be vetted by the police (which may take some time). Once a site is approved the volunteers can choose when they operate at that site, and how often, within daylight hours. There must be at least two people at each session, preferably three. Any trained volunteer can operate in any approved location. Sessions and volunteers are registered on the Speedwatch system. All high-viz jackets, the speed gun and public liability insurance are supplied by the police (but not personal insurance). The co-ordinator will probably need to collect the gun from a police station, although Terry keeps one at home for all his groups. The volunteers record anyone going over the speed limit + 10% + 1 (for 30MPH this means 35 MPH or more), number plate, colour and make of car and the speed. After the session this information is entered online on the Speedwatch system, and the police take the matter further.

The police send a letter the first time a car is recorded speeding in any location. Another letter the second time, another letter and possibly a visit on the third occasion. After the 3 letters, the person is logged on the ANPC system, so that if they are caught by a police speed camera they are given no leniency. Terry has experience of the letters altering behaviour in his villages. The police also follow up cars without tax or insurance. They also follow up any occasional abusive behaviour from drivers, probably by issuing fines. Terry wears a body camera, bought at his own expense, to assist the process!

Colin Coleman, a Councillor from Sampford Courtenay, has volunteered to co-ordinate the training of the initial group co-ordinators, to save police time by training them together. He is also interested in working as a volunteer in other areas than his own. Emma, the Okehampton Town Clerk, will be contacting all local area councils again to promote the idea. We were encouraged to promote it on social media.  It is important to note that this can be a community initiative and not necessarily a Parish Council one.

For more information go to https://communityspeedwatch.org/FRONT-v2-Home.php where there is a good video explaining it, and lots of information.

Sally Fullwood, Parish Clerk