COMMUNITY Speed Watch groups from across West Mercia have been running for ten years.

The groups in Worcestershire, Shropshire and Herefordshire celebrated their tenth anniversary on May 30. 

The Scheme was first launched in Crowle and since then 75 Community Speed Watch (CSW) groups have formed.

To mark the milestone, the West Mercia police and crime commissioner and deputy chief constable were spotted with the CSW team in Drakes Broughton. 

Deputy chief constable of West Mercia Police, Richard Cooper said: "We are very proud of the CSW scheme and would like to thank everyone involved as we reach the 10th anniversary.

"First and foremost, thank you to our CSW volunteers running the scheme in their local areas.

"They give up their time to monitor speeds to try and make their community a safer place and their contribution is immeasurable.

"Excessive or inappropriate speed continues to affect the quality of life for many communities across the three counties.

"As part of our continued support towards the local policing charter, CSW enables communities to take an active role in addressing concerns about speeding traffic.

"In many areas where CSW is already in place, local residents have seen a positive change in driver behaviour and compliance with the speed limit and we look forward to replicating those results across more areas in the future.”

To start a CSW a parish council or a safer neighbourhood team must identify speeding traffic as a community road safety concern.

The area must have a 30mph or 40mph speed limit and no other speed enforcement activities in place.

Each team consists of at least six volunteers.

Police and crime commissioner John Campion said: “It’s brilliant to see the difference Community Speed Watch schemes are playing to ensure roads are safer across West Mercia.

“The time and effort the volunteers put into the scheme does not go unnoticed.

"They are a driving force in educating motorists about their speed and helping to reduce the excessive harm too often caused on our roads.

"As PCC, I remain committed to empowering people and giving them the resources they need to influence positive change in their community."