A SPEEDWATCH scheme is being started in Okehampton, thanks to the work of a local councillor and one of the town’s PCSOs.

Devon and Cornwall Police’s Community Speedwatch is a national initiative involving local people monitoring driving speeds in known problem areas.

The chosen Okehampton site is the junction of Kellands Lane with the B3215 Crediton Road. Due to speeding concerns at the junction, Okehampton Hamlets Parish Council chairman Brian Wood brought the issues to the attention of local police.

Cllr Wood, who has experience with Speedwatch, worked with Okehampton PCSO Emma Tomkies to establish a speedwatch for the town.

‘This speedwatch has come about because of actual and potential speeding issues outside the new school — St James Church of England Primary and Nursery School,’ said Cllr Wood.

‘People have been complaining about speeding and as the police have limited resources the community now has a chance to help out.

‘There are other areas in Okehampton which want to conduct the Okehampton Speedwatch scheme. There is a possibility of one on Exeter Road.

‘This is a community intiative and we need volunteers. This scheme depends on volunteers and we need a minimum of four people just to start — then we can roll it out successfully to other areas.’

PCSO Tomkies said: ‘We can set up a Speed Watch site wherever members of the public feel there is a need for one, with the support of the local council, and where a successful site risk assessment is carried out.

‘The current site was brought to my attention by Cllr Wood and seems a great place to start, with it being located near the new primary school.

‘We are hoping that by educating the drivers using this road, it will make it safer for everyone using the area.’

She added: ‘We are currently looking for members of the public who would be able to volunteer some of their free time to help monitor speeding issues in their local area.

‘We have potential for other sites in the area, once we have more interest. Volunteers will have support from police but arrange between each other when and where they will conduct their speed checks.’

Community Speedwatch (CSW) is a national initiative where active members of local communities join with the support of the police to monitor speeds of vehicles using speed detection devices.

Speeding vehicles will be recorded and warning letters will be sent to the vehicle owner together with educational information.

Persistent offenders will receive a further warning letter and possibly a visit from their local neighbourhood policing team to deliver some words of advice. Persistent offenders that ignore the warnings will not receive any further letters but will be given a fixed penalty ticket or summoned to court depending on the circumstances.