Police plan to train volunteers in the use of speed guns

Groups in the Strathclyde area will be able to use hand-held speed guns to gather evidence about motorists who break the law.

The move to extend the project follows a three-month trial scheme in Milton of Campsie, Dunbartonshire.

But one motoring organisation described the so-called traffic vigilantes as "policing on the cheap".

The evidence they gather will not be used to prosecute drivers, but police will be notified and they will write to motorists to warn them.

Sue Nicholson, of the RAC Foundation, said: "It does smack of vigilantism.

It's a bit of a well-held tenet in the UK that policing is really down to uniformed cops Sue Nicholson RAC Foundation

"The fact that most communities who opt to go for this scheme will have to pay for their own equipment possibly adds to that.

"The police have to be very careful to vet the individuals who want to volunteer for this scheme.

"Holding a radar gun will be appealing for some people and we might have to question their motives.

Favouritism fear

"There is always the aspect of anybody with an axe to grind or with a particular dislike for a neighbour or a member of the community, and they'd be allowed to exercise their favouritism or otherwise.

"It's a bit of a well-held tenet in the UK that policing is really down to uniformed cops."

Ms Nicholson continued: "It also raises the possibility of conflict between a motorist whose number is being taken and the person who is holding the radar gun.

"You would have to be very careful that it didn't erupt into some kind of violent altercation."

But Eric Flack, of the Blairdardie and Old Drumchapel community council, welcomed the move, which also includes lessons in conflict resolution in case speed gun operators are attacked by angry drivers at the roadside.

We will be looking into this because over the years we have had a number of fatal accidents Eric Flack Community councillor

"We want the local people to have confidence that drivers are not breaking the law," he said.

"We will be looking into this because over the years we have had a number of fatal accidents."

Similar schemes, under the Community Speed Watch project, operate in England.

It is thought other Scottish police forces could follow Strathclyde's example.