Community Speed Watch - Crime Prevention - Surrey Police

Community Speed Watch

What is Community Speed Watch?
Community Speed Watch (CSW) is a locally driven initiative where active members of the community monitor speeds of vehicles at specific locations using speed detection devices.

How does Community Speed Watch work?
Once speeding vehicles within a community has been raised as an issue with local police, specialist roads officers will collect evidence and where possible target the area. They will also ask the community if they would like to set up a Community Speed Watch scheme which allows greater flexibility in monitoring the situation and enables the community to target vehicles when they want to, and not just when the police have available resources.

Once a scheme is in place, fully trained volunteers can identify vehicles which are speeding and forward this information to the police. The police will cross reference the recorded information with that held by the DVLA and send out a warning letter to the registered keeper. If there is a persistent problem with a particular motorist, the police will target the driver of that vehicle and, if appropriate, take further action.

DriveSMART Leaflet
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Is Community Speed Watch effective?
Yes – Community Speed Watch has had a significant impact in re-educating motorists regarding speed and raising their awareness of the impact that anti-social driving has on communities. Schemes have also reduced the threat of safety to individuals, particularly very young people and the elderly.

What equipment is provided, and what does it cost?
Surrey Police will provide the speed measuring equipment, training, safety jackets, roadside signage, clipboards and the log books. Initial funding will be provided through sponsorship and partner agencies and funds for subsequent equipment will be dealt with on a scheme by scheme basis.

Is partaking in Community Speed Watch dangerous?
Experience has shown that the vast majority of drivers either support, or are neutral to CSW volunteers. Confrontation with drivers is very rare, and our training will cover how to deal with such situations.

Volunteers taking part in Community Speed Watch under the direction and control of Surrey Police will be covered by public liability, employer’s liability and personal accident insurance.

How do I start a scheme in my community?
If you and other members of your community think that speeding traffic has a dangerous impact in your neighbourhood and you would like to take an active role in speed monitoring, then forming or joining a group is a good next step.

A scheme requires a minimum of six volunteers who will be trained by police in the use of speed monitoring equipment, health and safety and how to manage enquiries by members of the public.

To find out more about establishing a new Community Speed Watch scheme, or to see if there is an existing scheme, contact your local Casualty Reduction Officer on 0845 125 2222.