POLICE officers in Richmondshire will be equipped with a new laser speed detection device to help make the district’s roads safer.

Funding from Richmond Community Safety Partnership (RCSP) has enabled North Yorkshire Police to equip its community police officers with a new Prolaser speed detection device to complement other ongoing enforcement activity.

The devices are the latest equipment to be deployed to keep Richmondshire’s roads safe. In May, RCSP funded four speed matrices – flashing signs to warn drivers when they exceed speed limits.

The Prolaser will be used by police to enforce speed limits when drivers fail to take notice of the matrix boards.

Previously, speed enforcement was carried out by North Yorkshire Police’s road policing officers, largely on the main road network. However, the new laser will allow community police officers to carry out speed enforcement within villages.

The message is simple – ignore speed limits at your peril, because it’s only a matter of time before you get caught and prosecuted.

John Lumbard - Richmond Road Policing Group

Since March this year, police have stopped 1,314 motorists within Richmondshire. A total of 374 drivers have been prosecuted for speeding, and a further 31 drivers have had their vehicles seized for not having insurance.

Early indications show that the road safety campaign is having an effect – accident figures suggest that compared with the average of the previous five years, there has been a fall of about ten per cent in fatal and serious injury collisions to date. The campaign will continue throughout the summer.

Sergeant John Lumbard, of Richmond Road Policing Group said: “The message is simple – ignore speed limits at your peril, because it’s only a matter of time before you get caught and prosecuted.

“When we do stop you, officers will check all your documentation, and if you haven’t valid insurance then the police have the power to seize your vehicle at the roadside.”