Speed guns for community bobbies

RESIDENTS will soon be able to ask for speed checks to be carried out in their area after £36,000 was spent on 20 new laser guns.

For the first time, the devices will be given to community police officers around Suffolk in a bid to cut accidents.

Officers will spend around two hours a week setting up the speed traps in towns and villages around the county.

They will be given special training on how to operate the guns and will use them for the first time from October 3. Anyone found to be exceeding the limit will be prosecuted.

The purchase of the speed guns for community beat officers follows the success of a pilot scheme carried out in parts of the county last year.

Previously, only officers in the force's roads policing unit had operated the checks.

Sandra Graffham, of Suffolk County Council, said: "The guns will be shared among the various police sectors across the county and the community police officers will be able to use them depending on requests from residents.

"If people believe there is a speeding issue in their area they can apply for a speeding gun to monitor these issues."

She said residents wishing to highlight an area blighted by speeding can report their concerns to their parish, town or district council, who will alert the relevant community police officer.

Mrs Graffham said: "We'll work with the police and monitor the effectiveness of the speed guns.

"Accident reduction is a priority for Suffolk County Council. We're working with the police to ensure we can do this more effectively. This is an effective way of speed enforcement."

Simon Stevens, of Suffolk police, said: "We are committed to making the county's roads safer.

"We are also committed to working with local communities to identify concerns and solve problems.

"The success of the pilot scheme means we and Suffolk County Council are looking to extend it across the county later this year and help address the concerns of people about speeding matters in their area."