Police take special look at motorists flouting law
FAMILIES have backed a volunteer-run scheme targeting speeding drivers and motorists who ignore the law.
Special constables were out across North Staffordshire on Saturday, pulling over speeding motorists and people driving without seat belts or while holding mobile phones.
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SLOW DOWN: Pictured from left, on High Street, Wolstanton, are Liz Ellis, Brenda Mountford and Annette Cheadle, with Special Constable Dan Rowley. Picture: Clare Jennings
They were also doing random checks on vehicles to check they had an MOT, tax and insurance.
They were in Liverpool Road East, Kidsgrove; High Street, Wolstanton; Gallowstree Lane, Newcastle; on the A53 Endon to Brown Edge Road, Leek; and Tape Street, Cheadle.
The scheme was part of National Specials Weekend, organised to draw attention to the work done by special constables and encourage people to sign up.
Specials are volunteers who give up a minimum of 16 hours of their time a month to help the regular police force.
There are currently more than 300 working for Staffordshire Police and they have a variety of occupations and come from different backgrounds.
Special Constable Dan Rowley, aged 21, who is based in Newcastle, was conducting the checks in Wolstanton.
He said: "It's gone really well. We have issued fixed penalty notices to people not wearing seatbelts and given out advice in relation to defects of vehicles."
Wolstanton resident Brenda Mountford said she welcomed the presence of officers in High Street, where drivers reached speeds of 40mph, making it impossible to cross the road safely.
The pensioner, of Keeling Street, said: "It's dangerous for us and the children to cross because they come down the road so quickly."
Annette Cheadle, aged 62, of Pitgreen Lane, Wolstanton, said: "I have seen drivers coming down the road with mobile phones in their hands. I'm glad the police are doing something."
Liz Ellis, of Cobden Street, Wolstanton, said it was good the police were checking for mechanical defects.
She said: "If anything goes wrong with the car, it could cause a serious accident or a hold-up if it broke down in the middle of the road."
Police have yet to release details on the number of motorists caught breaking the law during the operation.
Meanwhile in Chesterton, Staffordshire Police are launching a Community Speedwatch Scheme to stop speeding along London Road, Wolstanton Road, Audley Road and Cedar Road.
As part of the project, police will be trained to use cameras to monitor the speed of vehicles. Volunteers are needed to help run the scheme.
David Scott, chairman of Chesterton Residents' Association, urged people to come forward because previous attempts had been unsuccessful due to a lack of volunteers.
The 37-year-old, of Wright Avenue, Chesterton, said: "All these roads are 30mph zones but they attract speeding drivers as they are straight and don't give people the opportunity to slow down.
"I've seen cars coming down London Road in the evening doing as much as 70mph in a 30mph zone. Getting involved could help save people's lives."
Residents interested in becoming a Community Speedwatch volunteer should call PCSO James Baddeley on 0300 123 2345 – follow the instructions and enter his personal collar number, 16706. Alternatively, email james.baddeley@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk
To inquire about becoming a special constable, call Staffordshire Police on 01785 235353 for more information.
35 Comments
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by jenny, staffs
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 6:15PM
“thanks geoff, your right mate :)
quick to moan and quick to ring!”
by Geoff, Ex Cop
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 1:32PM
“Jenny,
You all do a good job, their are a few people who knock, but their are many many more who support
.What really makes me laugh is that when some of these people that knock the police have a problem, they fall over themselves to phone the police for help”
by jenny, staffs
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 12:46PM
“Hobby bobbies playing at being policemen , get a proper job , i wanted be a rozzer when i was little but my mum and dad were married so that stuffed my chances POWER TO THE PEOPLE Citizen Smith, kidsgrove
ha ha your funny !!!!
NOT !!!”
by jenny, staffs
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 12:42PM
“"quote"
a sepcial police man or woman gives up some of there time to help the police, all well and good. but they do not get a feel for the job and understand the problems. a full time copper who has experience in different stiuations will look at a crime different from a special who only does so many hours a month peter, hanley
"unquote"
sorry peter but what a load of crap,if you belive this then maybe you should try and join the specials to witness the reality?
ive been a serving special for six years mostly working over 100 hrs a month, ive experianced the lot,deaths,drugs busts,had knifes held to me ect...
ive done many a shift on a busy friday night patroling on my own in marked police cars (lone female )
, do you think if we didnt know what we were doing we would be aloud?
no of cause not !!!!
i proud of my role,and my powers,and if my 100hrs a month just takes 1 idiot off the streets then its a job well done :)
and remember pcso's get a fab wage, yet they dont risk their lifes like the specials do,day in and day out?
so maye you should think again about your opinion of specials,because who knows if you even need people help,then it maybe a special who shows up 1st, and would you really know the difference?
DOUBT IT MATE :)”
by Geoff, absassurance
Monday, February 08 2010, 11:12PM
“Ron,
you are never a solicitor.
i dont want to insult you but i hope you get used to our air on earth.
A notice to owner is after a specific offence has been committed, even then it has its flaws in identifying a driver,
As per the rest of your post . . Rubbish”
by Ron, Blythe Bridge
Monday, February 08 2010, 10:05PM
“That may be so Geoff - so you have picked me up on one point, that a computer cannot identify the driver, if an offence has been committed though you have notice through the post so then you can notify the ticket office who was driving at the time, still don't need to stop the vehicle, an ex cop would know that!! That still doesn't alter the rest of my comment either though does it?”
by Geoff, Ex Cop
Monday, February 08 2010, 9:49PM
“Ron, What a lod of B*******, HOW THE HELL CAN A COMPUTER TELL YOU WHO IS DRIVING A CAR !!!!
It will tell you . .
1/ Who the Registerd keeper is.
2/ If they hold insurance for the car
3/ If its Taxed and when it expires
4/ When the MOTexpires.
ONLY A STOP reveals who the driver is and any offences committed.
if offences are suspected then an HORT1 issued for production of any or all docs within 7 days. A solicitor would know that ? ? ?”
by Ron, Blythe Bridge
Monday, February 08 2010, 9:35PM
“I don¿t agree with speeding or dangerous motorists, however, I don't see why you should be stopped to check papers when in the first place MOT Insurance and Tax can be checked without even stopping the driver and looking at paperwork, as motorists who are stopped because the police computer has shown them to have no insurance etc will testify (and that isn't foolproof) secondly how many people carry their documents in the car anyway? Are we not told not to do so because if someone steals your car they also have your documents? Why are our police and 'spirited minded members of the public' not attempting to do spot checks on anti social behaviour or people letting dogs do their business all over the pavement or even litter louts? Why is it always the motorist? I¿m sick of hearing about all the safety aspects it¿s worn thin. As for " Its difficult to cross the road then use designated crossings or stay off the road, pedestrians don't pay tax for the roads, motorists do and a lot of it. The main reason motorists are targeted is because they are a soft target and considered a cash cow.”
by Geoff, Ex Cop
Monday, February 08 2010, 9:34PM
“Dammed if they do,Dammed if they dont.
Its either they go out and cover problem areas, complaint areas or even accident black spots to possibly save lives and report offenders or we have the cotinual moaning that the Police are doing nothing.
They are Special Constables who dont get paid so it wont cost anything.
They give up their time for Your safety, the safety of Your Children and the safety of your Family.!!!!
WOW HOW DARE THEY”
by vicky, burslem
Monday, February 08 2010, 9:01PM
“good on em!! i have issuses with moby phone users whilst driving,take a look at the amount of head injures from car accidents through people speeding and using mobile phone.........
go to moorland road at 5am you can catch sed loads :)”