West Dorset police speeding scheme 'is not spying'

An initiative whereby volunteers monitor motorists' behaviour is not a replacement for speed cameras and does not involve spying, say Dorset Police.

Residents in Warmwell, near Dorchester, and Chideock, near Bridport, have taken part in the scheme.

Using camera devices they are able to record the registration numbers of speeding vehicles and the information is then passed on to the police.

The force says this may lead to the prosecution of persistent offenders.

Volunteers have raised speeding as a priority in their neighbourhoods.

Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Whiting said: "The Community Speed Watch Scheme is... already in place elsewhere in the country, including Dorset.

"Scheme volunteers do not act in a covert manner and, in fact, wear high visibility clothing while participating.

"I am aware of a report in the media that could potentially give members of the public a misleading impression of the scheme and I understand that this will be clarified in due course."