Volunteer Police Officers are being trained to enforce speed limits in communities across Devon and Cornwall thanks to funding from the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership.

Special Constables have been kitted out with the very latest Home Office Type Approved speed enforcement cameras in a bid to curb speeding drivers at hotspots throughout the region.

It is the first time volunteers have been enabled to use such equipment for enforcement purposes in Devon & Cornwall – with some already catching drivers at speeds of up to 109mph.

Enforcement sites are selected based on statistics, previous collision data and complaints from local residents where speed has been mentioned as an issue. Volunteers are also able to enforce speed limits on any road and at any point during the day or night.

SC Mike Fleming, a special constable based in South Devon, says using the equipment has been an eye-opening experience for him.

SC Fleming said: “I have been using the new speed camera for just over four weeks and recently surpassed 1,000 activations. The fastest speed I have detected so far is 109mph on the A38.

“I have been personally shocked at just how many people are speeding on our roads. Hopefully this expanded presence of speed monitoring will encourage drivers to slow down.”

Adrian Leisk is Devon & Cornwall Police’s Head of Road Safety and also chair of the Vision Zero South West enforcement committee.

Mr Leisk said: “We know that travelling too fast contributes significantly to serious and fatal collisions. Driving too fast gives you less time to react and increases your risk of sustaining serious or fatal injuries in the event of a collision.

“Devon & Cornwall Police has a highly trained and exceptionally dedicated cohort of Special Constables who work alongside regular colleagues to make our region’s road network as safe as possible. This investment adds to their capabilities to respond to community concerns and priorities.

“I’m delighted that we have been able to train them to the standard required to enforce speed limits on any road around the two counties. More importantly, they are able to enforce at any time of the day or night, using infra-red technology, and react in a swift and agile manner where concerns are identified.

“Remember, there’s an incredibly simple way to avoid a speeding prosecution – stick to the speed limits and help keep our communities safe.”