SPEEDING motorists in Stourbridge are being clamped down after police joined forces with a community speed enforcement group.

What started as an event where local residents would monitoring the traffic and enforcing speed limits, Stourbridge Community Speed Watch (SCSW) is now fully supported by West Midlands Police.

The scheme – initially set up as a result of concerns from residents in Pedmore and Norton in relation to the high level of speeding vehicles in built up areas – enables volunteers to work within the community, raising awareness of the dangers of speeding and helping control the problem.

Mark Pickering, who represents the group, said that its purpose was to promote safer driving in the local community by educating, rather than prosecuting individuals.

He said: “The group is particularly concerned with the high levels of speeds that some drivers were undertaking where a 30mph limit was in place.

“Anyone who breaks the limit excessively, particularly in built up areas, is a danger to every other road user and pedestrian, putting lives at risk.”

While speeding is the primary reason for residents setting up the group, noise pollution was also a factor when vehicles were accelerating at high speed.

The scheme operates from data collected by SCSW, before being passed to West Midlands Police who check a national computer data base and issue warning letters to those caught speeding, with persistent offenders being visited by the police.

The group has also been backed by Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson who has recently provided members with necessary equipment to carry out their role, including a pro laser for day and night use, allowing the group to undertake speed checks on a more regular basis.

Mr Pickering added: “I’m aware that there will be many people thinking that any speeding issue is a matter for direct police intervention, without the need for residents to become involved.

“We are also fully aware that in these times of austerity the police are not always able to carry out a targeted approach.

“But by supporting the police in this way, we are able to gather data on those roads where excessive speeding is an issue, they will then join us at appointed times and use their appropriate powers when stopping vehicles exceeding the limit.”

Wollaston and Stourbridge Town councillor Nic Barlow, who has recently joined the group, said he will be using the data gathered to help recommend where additional signage, or traffic calming measures, may be required.

Anyone who has concerns about excessive speeding in Stourbridge, or if they wish to join the group, which takes up between one to three hours-a-week, contact PC Jonathan Edwards by emailing j.j.edwards@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk