More than 100 volunteers join Wiltshire Police in day of action

Around 120 Community Speed Watch (CSW) volunteers and 50 Wiltshire Police officers carried out roadside speed checks at 40 locations across Wiltshire and Swindon on Tuesday 20th January.

Wiltshire Police Roads Policing Unit (RPU) and Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPT) worked in partnership with CSW as part of Operation Harness, a long-term collaborative operation designed to incorporate on-going initiatives focusing on different elements of policing.

Chief Constable Pat Geenty said, “This day of action highlights the key partnership working between CSW and Wiltshire Police.

“Many reactions to the day’s visibility out on the roads have been positive, with drivers listening to the advice given by our officers and many people giving us a wave as they drive by. I think today has definitely made drivers think twice about their speed.”

Speeding is one of the ‘fatal four’ factors that can cause road traffic collisions. The others are drink/drugs, driving while on a mobile phone and not wearing seatbelts.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, Angus Macpherson said, “Community Speed Watch is about local volunteers driving down speed and driving up safety. They are getting involved with local policing matters and showing that speeding will not be tolerated in their area.

“The teams I met on 20th January were enthusiastic and dedicated to their watch scheme and it was great to see them work collaboratively with Wiltshire Police out on the roads.”