STUDENTS from Duchy College had the opportunity recently to work with the police and carry out a ‘speedwatch’ operation in Kelly Bray.

Excessive speed has been identified by the local community as a problem in the area and as part of the ‘Crime and Effects’ module, the BTEC Public Services and Military Academy students were able to work with the police for a day.

PC David Thompson and colleagues briefed students on the equipment and how to speak to offending drivers before setting up two speed monitoring areas on the busy road between Kelly Bray and Callington.

Students used handheld speed cameras to monitor vehicle speeds as well as looking out for drivers using mobile phones or not wearing their seatbelts. Several drivers were stopped for excessive speed and not wearing their seatbelts with students discussing with them the dangers of their offences.

Student Brandon Armitage said: ‘This was a fun experience using the speed guns and I managed to catch a driver doing 40mph in a 30mph zone. This course has shown me the wide range of opportunities available in the public services.’

Fellow student Steph Byworth agreed: ‘It was interesting to use the speed guns and learn how the police interact with members of the public. We pulled over a member of the public for driving over the limit and I got to speak to them about their speeding and the stopping distances. I am looking at joining either the police or the prison service at the end of my course.’

Public services course manager at Duchy College Terry Doyle said: ‘This was a great opportunity for our students to learn about the speed offence procedures and get some real-life experience.’