Police and councillors in east Ipswich have teamed up to help crack down on speeding in town – with data-gathering speeding devices.

Following concerns raised by residents and borough and county councillors in the area, Ipswich Borough Council helped fund a new scheme with police in a bid to deter speeders.

The funding has allowed police to buy two speed indication devices which can be deployed on any road to track speeding.

The devices are set up on tripods, and flash up with a speed a motorist is travelling at to remind them of the speed limit. If it is green they are within the limit while red means they are speeding.

Inspector Andy Pursehouse said: “In response to residents’ concerns about speeding in certain areas of Ipswich, two SIDs (speed indication devices) have been purchased to encourage motorists to remain within the speed limit.

“Many motorists who are driving faster than the limit are not doing so deliberately, and so the aim is that the devices will act a deterrent and remind people to slow down.

“These will be deployed in areas of concerns to local residents and will be moved on a regular basis, however if we see areas with repeat breaking of the limit, we may keep the device there longer.”

The devices mean officers do not need to be present and can be set up and moved to whichever areas are needed.

One has already been out and about on problem roads for the last three weeks, while the second is due to begin use shortly. Both are being used daily.

Among some of the problem areas it has already been used at are Nacton Road, Ravenswood Avenue and Alan Road, with the devices also able to gather data on how often speeding happens and at what times.

If the devices continue to track regular speeding, officers haven’t ruled out more stringent measures in future.

Inspector Pursehouse added: “Although SID does not prosecute drivers, the data will be monitored and if speeding continues to be a problem we will look at other speed reduction measures and consider law enforcement options.

“Our partnership approach is to educate as well as enforce speed limits and our ultimate goal is to make our roads a safer place for all.”