Thousands of drivers caught by Community Speed Watch Groups in Lincolnshire and Rutland
Thousands of letters of caution were issued to speeding drivers last year.
Lincolnshire Police sent out more than 5,800 warning letters in 2024 to drivers caught speeding by Community Speed Watch Groups.
There are almost 50 groups across the county made up of volunteers who stand at the side of the road measuring drivers’ speed.
Anyone found exceeding the limit will have their number plate written down and details passed onto the police.
Letters are sent to offending drivers warning them of the dangers of speeding and explaining the penalties they could have faced if they were caught by the police instead.
Councillor Richard Cleaver (Ind), who represents Stamford on South Kesteven District Council and Lincolnshire County Council, set up the town’s Community Speed Watch Group after fielding hundreds of complaints from concerned residents.
He said: “It’s the most obvious and practical thing we can do.
“It’s no secret that the police are overstretched, and although they conduct speed checks, they can’t be there every day.
“The figures for Stamford do show if you have a regular presence you then capture less instances of people speeding.”
In Lincolnshire five per cent of drivers who received a letter went on to get caught again.
Prolific offenders who ignore the rules can expect a knock on the door from officers.
The number of letters of caution issued was less than in previous year, but so was the number of Community Speed Watch groups participating.
“We want people to feel they are safe and that their children are safe,” said Coun Cleaver.
“This really helps to reinforce the message that we all have a responsibility to stick to the speed limit.”
In Rutland, Leicestershire Police issued more than 1,100 letters of caution to drivers flouting the speed limits.
It was a larger scheme than previous years, running across Essendine and Ryhall, Oakham, Preston, Manton, Empingham, Ketton and Lyddington, which resulted in an increase of letters.
Jonathan Clarkson, spokesperson for the road safety partnership which covers Rutland, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the local Community Speed Watch volunteers for all their hard work, however the marked increase in the number of warning letters sent out to speeding drivers across Rutland this year is unacceptable.
“Excessive speeds not only increase the risk of death and serious injuries to innocent road users, but they are also a blight on our rural communities affecting the quality of life for local residents.”