Villagers rally together to catch speeding motorists

A flashing speed indicator device which was obtained for use in both villages was recently demonstrated at a recent (Jun 10) meeting of Ashford Hill with Headley Parish Council by parish councillor, Joe Woodford, a former Ashford Hill primary school pupil.
Mr Woodford, who grew up in the village, now has a young family of his own, members of which walk to school every day to the primary school, in Ashford Hill Road. He said he was concerned they faced the dangers of speeding vehicles along the road.
A total 14 families in Ashford Hill and further 16 families in Headley had, said Mr Woodford, signed up to take part in the initiative: “They will be manning the machines, noting down the speed, date, number plate and car details,” he said.
All the volunteers would undergo police vetting procedures and would be insured, he said, and continued:
“We then give this information to the police and they issue a letter.”
Clerk, Steven Marshall, pointed out the accuracy of details recorded was reliant on those doing so having good eyesight.
Parish councillors however, gave the thumbs up to the initiative, including chairman, Barrie Hiscock, who said: “They are now part of the police force, in a roundabout way - which is more than we have had around here in a long time!”
A (unnamed) villager who complles the parish magazine said the village beat manager, Pc Brian Dixon, had informed her of worries he was letting the villages he patrolled down, due to regularly being sent further afield, including London and Swindon, but had no control over the frustrating situation:
“He came to the village fete on his day off with his (police) car so children could sit in the vehicle, I think it was very nice,” she added.