Village speed watch team left fearing for safety

Volunteers use a handheld device to record speeds

Volunteers who check the speed of motorists travelling through their village have suspended their work because of fears for their safety.

The Community Speed Watch team in South Kyme, Lincolnshire, claim two members were sprayed with liquid from a passing vehicle at the end of May.

James Nadin, who leads the group, said the volunteers had also received verbal abuse and were "disillusioned".

Lincolnshire Police said it was investigating the incident.

There are 250 parish and town councils in Lincolnshire operating Community Speed Watch, with more than 1,000 trained volunteers.

The scheme is run by the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership on behalf of Lincolnshire Police.

Teams monitor speeds from designated sites using a handheld device. Vehicles recorded travelling at 35mph or more in a 30mph zone, or 46mph in a 40mph zone, are logged and the registered keeper is sent a letter.

Volunteers James Nadin and Peter Goode are seeking reassurances about their safety

The group in South Kyme was established in 2019 with 20 volunteers. Now, just six remain.

Mr Nadin said there was “total disillusionment” among volunteers, who felt that they were failing to make a difference.

Members of the team had faced verbal abuse from drivers. “You just have to close your ears to it,” Mr Nadin said.

However, after two of his team were sprayed with an unknown fluid, he has refused to conduct any further sessions until their safety is assured.

“It shouldn’t happen” to volunteers doing a worthwhile job, he added.

Peter Goode was one of the volunteers who was sprayed. “It could have been a can of coke or it could have been acid or anything,” he said.

Mr Goode admitted feeling concerned until he realised the liquid had not burned him.

After contacting Lincolnshire Police and the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, Mr Nadin said an officer had been in touch to discuss the incident.

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