Crime commissioner funds ‘black boxes’ to support community speedwatch schemes

Community groups set up to tackle speeding motorists through Cambridgeshire villagers are to get extra support from police and crime commissioner Jason Ablewhite.

Mr Ablewhite is to trial the use of black boxes, the devices used to collect information on traffic volume, vehicle types and speed.

He says this will help police to “build up a profile of village traffic”.

Guyhirn Primary School pupils help spread the word to stop speeding near schools (Image: Archant)

The black boxes – paid for by the casualty reduction fund – will allow date to be collected to provide information for communities wishing to set up Speedwatch schemes.

The boxes have so far been set up in two village locations – Godmanchester and Ufford - but more are being planned across the county.

Casualty reduction officer PC Jon Morris said: “The boxes allow us to assess if there is a problem and what that problem might be.

Members of a community speedwatch group have spent the day monitoring drivers on Doddington Road in Wimblington. PHOTO: Doddington and Wimblington Community Speedwatch (Image: Archant)

“We can then look at what resources to best deploy to help resolve problems.

“I would like to re-assure motorists that the device does not record personal information or number plates. It is purely there to help us.”

Anyone interested in joining their local Speedwatch scheme should visit www.speedwatch.info

A poice officer pictured with members of the Ely Speed Watch team, who clocked 47 speeding cars in November (Image: Archant)