Used as part of a scheme known as Speedwatch, the equipment will be used by trained volunteers in an effort to deter drivers from exceeding speed limits.

Police announced that they were looking for volunteers during a neighbourhood panel meeting, where speeding in Stanground's streets was made a priority for police to tackle.

Should members of the public be manning speed cameras?
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As The Evening Telegraph reported in August, as part of the scheme neighbourhood groups will be provided with the portable, battery operated speed-gun, which is mounted on a tripod, and trained to use it.

When pointed in the direction of traffic, the £3,000 kit gives readings of the time, date and speed of the vehicle.

Volunteers will use it to record speeds and then pass them on, along with details of the offending vehicles, to police.

A police spokesperson said: "It is a scheme where residents are given these devices so they can measure speed of passing cars.

"It allows the residents to check whether there is speeding going on in their area. They can also mark down the registration, so we can find out if it's the same drivers who are speeding."

The devices give the residents no powers to make an arrest. However, once the details are passed to the police, officers can check the Police National Computer to find out where the motorist lives and send them a letter or pay them a visit.

It is expected that Speedwatch, at the very least, will act as a deterrent to motorists who will know that if they persist with speeding, it will be a police officer who clocks them the next time. It will also help police to know which roads have a speeding problem.

Stanground was chosen for the pilot run of the initiative in the city following a host of complaints from residents at their quarterly Police Neighbourhood Panel Meetings.

Last week police sergeant Kirsty Hills, who is based in Hampton, made a plea at the southern area panel meeting at Brewster Avenue Primary School, in Woodston, Peterborough, for volunteers to come forward.

The spokesperson added: "The time frame for when the devices will be going out to the residents will be the next few weeks.

"There were 30 people at the panel meeting, but only a couple came forward to say they were interested in volunteering for the scheme."

n If you live in Stanground and would like to volunteer for the Speedwatch scheme, call Sgt Hills on 0845 456 4564.

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