VOLUNTEERS, who catch speeding drivers, received a cash boost when they were visited by Hampshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner during a national awareness week.

Simon Hayes met volunteers from Overton and Whitchurch Community SpeedWatch scheme during National Road Safety Week, and observed their work in operation.

He also presented them with a £1,000 cheque – funding which forms part of his commitment to help keep the counties roads safer by developing community SpeedWatch schemes across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Mr Hayes has set aside £140,000 from his commissioning reserve for a two-year initiative to promote SpeedWatch across the two counties.

A total of £65,000 will go to Hampshire Constabulary to allow them to manage running costs associated with the vetting of volunteers, along with the administrative process of carrying out checks on vehicles recorded exceeding the speed limit.

The remaining £75,000 will be retained by the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner to be used as match funding for the cost of setting up community SpeedWatch schemes.

Mr Hayes said: “By listening to the public I represent, it became clear that speeding motorists were of concern to them.

“Through my commissioning programme, I have set aside £140,000 over two years to fund and encourage the growth and development of community SpeedWatch schemes where speeding is an identified problem.

“I am delighted to hear that we now have 768 volunteers actively managing 61 schemes across Hampshire and Isle of Wight. Many of these schemes have been supporting the Brake Charity National Road Safety Week, and I was delighted to observe first-hand the Overton and Whitchurch scheme. I would encourage others to follow their lead.”