The next weapon in the fight against speeding motorists?

Bernard Mitchinson, who lives in Pool-in-Wharfedale, made the suggestion in the community newsletter.

He also believes the sight of local people dressed up as traffic officers could fool drivers into slowing down.

But despite a muted response from the village, Mr Mitchinson told BBC Radio Leeds he believes his plan would work.

"We have found that if you stand with a camera and take photos, vehicles do slow down and they are affected by anyone appearing to take notice of what they are up to," he said.

We would not encourage people to impersonate a police officer for any reason West Yorkshire Police spokeswoman

Page five of the Pool-in Wharfedale community newsletter sets out the advice clearly: "Yellow jackets, black caps and a hair dryer will convince many people that a speed trap exists."

"You wouldn't have to do it too often and you wouldn't want to attract the attention of the police," Mr Mitchinson said.

"But I think you could get away with it occasionally."

Impersonating a police officer is an offence and Mr Mitchinson suggests stopping short of donning the full uniform.

"I would not want anyone to commit a crime and I would not incite them to do that," he added.

West Yorkshire Police are not aware of any incidents of people "playing cop" in the village, a spokeswoman said.

But she added: "We would not encourage people to impersonate a police officer for any reason.

"If people have concerns about speeding traffic where they live they should contact local police, highways department or the West Yorkshire Casualty Reduction Partnership so the matter can be looked into by the appropriate powers."