Group to combat ‘blight’ of speeding through town
A MEETING is to take place to set up a Community Speed Watch group in Leek.
Councillor Bill Cawley and officers from Staffordshire Police are organising an information gathering event for people in the town who want to be involved in a Community Speed Watch (CSW) group in Leek.
Residents are trained by the police to stand by the road side to monitor the speeds of vehicles using a radar device.
The meeting will be held at 7pm on Thursday, October 18 at St Luke’s Church in Fountain Street, Leek.
The Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP) was set up in 2001 to make a positive contribution to reducing the number of people killed and seriously injured on the roads of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-trent and the establishment of CSW groups is an integral part of that partnership.
When a vehicle is caught speeding, the details of that vehicle are recorded on a log sheet and then submitted to the police. Once the details have been validated through the Police National Computer, a letter is sent to the registered keeper warning them of the dangers of speeding.
If a driver is identified as a repeat offender they can expect a home visit by an officer.
Michelle Shaker, Community Speed Watch co-ordinator for SSRP, said: “Speed Watch is growing in popularity among communities, with residents realising their presence is making a real difference.
“Currently we have 71 active groups and a further 25-30 groups in the pipeline one of which will be Leek.”
Councillor Cawley said that since he was elected in March the issue of traffic has been one that has been regularly brought to his attention.
He said: “Living off West Street I have regularly seen speeding traffic accelerating along the street toward the town centre. I am sure that other parts of the town are similarly affected by this blight.
“Community Speed Watch is an effective way of bearing down on the dangerous driver who uses the narrow streets of Leek as a speed track. A GARAGE has been broken into at Cheadle.
The incident, which took place in Thames Drive, occurred between 4pm on Thursday, September 20 and 4pm on Saturday, September 22.
Now police officers have asked residents to be aware and to make sure all garages and sheds are kept secure.
If anyone has any information please ring 101, quoting incident number 536 of September 22.
■ A THEFT from a car has taken place on Blythe Mount Park, Blythe Bridge.
Two Logik portable DVDS have been stolen, as well as greeting cards, Paw Patrol bag, towel, pyjamas, toothpaste and a toothbrush.
If anyone has any information or may have seen or heard anything then contact police on 101.
■ SOME time over the weekend of Friday, September 21 to
Monday, September 24, a cement mixer was stolen from a building site located off Ashbourne Road in Cheadle.
If you have any information regarding this incident, ring 101 and quote serial number 408 of September 29.
■ BETWEEN the hours of 2pm and 4pm on Saturday, September 29 tools equating to the value of approximately £300 were stolen from outside a shed at an address in Park Lane, Biddulph.
If you have any information regarding this incident, call 101 quoting incident number 718 of September 29.
■ A PURSE has been stolen from a shopper at Morrisons supermarket in Cheadle.
A police spokesman said: “Can shoppers please be aware to keep their purses and wallets safe and secure while out shopping.”
■ A THEFT from a motor vehicle has been reported in Knypersley.
Police received a call on Sunday, September 30 after a motor vehicle parked on Prospect Way Industrial Unit had both windows smashed and a sat navigation and Old Shark dash cam taken.
The incident took place between 6.30pm on Saturday, September 29 and 4pm on Sunday, September 30.
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 and quote serial number 530 of September 30.
Alternatively, witnesses can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.