Persistent speeders could be targeted by the police

In a drive to make the roads safer in Whittlebury, Northamptonshire, residents have been armed with hand held speed guns.

The county's Safety Camera Partnership has trained 12 villagers to use the gun and residents have started monitoring traffic.

Details of anyone caught speeding are passed to the police who then write a warning letter to the owner of the vehicle.

The scheme also involves placing posters around the village warning motorists to slow down.

'Desired effect'

Geoff Holbrooke, co-ordinator of the Whittlebury scheme, said: "We have been using the speed gun for a week and so far the response from villagers and drivers has been really good.

"The gun and posters appealing for people to slow down appear to be having the desired effect."

Speed guns have so far been issued to seven villages across the county as part of a pilot community speed watch scheme.

Each village has raised concerns about speeding traffic and will use the speed guns for three months.

Anyone who is persistently caught by villagers could be targeted by a police motorcyclist.

Other villages taking part in the scheme are Crick, Earls Barton, East Farndon, Helmdon, Stanwick and Wollaston.