PARENTS who are late collecting their children from school and commuters are the worst culprits for speeding through Upwell. But speeding motorists better beware, because villagers and neighbourhood police teams in West Norfolk are joining forces to tackl

PARENTS who are late collecting their children from school and commuters are the worst culprits for speeding through Upwell.

But speeding motorists better beware, because villagers and neighbourhood police teams in West Norfolk are joining forces to tackle the problem.

Police have been in the village with the Speedwatch Team carrying out checks in School Road and demonstrating laser speed guns.

Nine police officers based in the district's Safer Neighbourhood Teams have been trained to use speed laser guns which are regularly used by road policing officers to take enforcement action against motorists breaking the law.

The additional resource will be used by local police teams where a pattern of speeding has been identified or in conjunction with local residents involved in voluntary Community Speedwatch Teams.

Upwell Community Speedwatch has been running for a year with nine volunteers. Teams of three carry out roadside checks at least twice a week and register on average 30 speeding motorists during each session.

Parish Councillor Frank Humm who is a police support volunteer and administers the scheme said: "The top speed we have clocked in the village is 64 in a 30mph area. People are supportive of what we are doing and generally, it has had a positive effect."

Sgt Steve Marsh said: "Speeding motorists are a common scourge to people living in West Norfolk. It makes residents feel vulnerable and puts both pedestrians and other road users at risk.

"While we cannot respond immediately to every single report of speeding - we receive many - the trained neighbourhood officers will now be able to supplement the work of their road policing colleagues and the Norfolk Safety Camera Partnership van by providing additional roadside enforcement checks.