FAQs

Questions

1. I have been monitored speeding. What happens to my details?
2. I have received a warning letter. Will I now by fined or taken to court?
3. I have received a warning letter stating this is the second time my vehicle has been monitored speeding. What happens now?
4. I have received a warning letter yet I wasn’t driving the vehicle. What do I do?
5. I have received a warning letter for an incident on a date after I had sold the vehicle. What happens now?
6. Why doesn’t the warning letter tell me how fast I was driving?
7. My vehicle wasn’t in the location stated on the warning letter.
8. I wish to complain about a member of a Speed Watch team.
9. I have received a warning letter but it doesn’t say who monitored me. How can I find this out?
10. What equipment is used to monitor vehicles?
11. Why are you using members of the public to monitor speed?
12. I have a speeding problem in my neighbourhood. What can I do?
13. Can I join a Community Speed Watch team for a day to see what it’s like?
14. If you have a question that cannot be answered here -

Answers

I have been monitored speeding. What happens to my details?

We only hold the details of the registered keeper on our secure police server. These details are held and accessed in line with the restrictions imposed by Data Protection and Management of Police Information.

back to top

I have received a warning letter. Will I now by fined or taken to court?

No for this specific incident we will be taking no further action.

back to top

I have received a warning letter stating this is the second time my vehicle has been monitored speeding. What happens now?

Your vehicle details have been passed to our speed enforcement officers. If you are caught speeding you will be given a fixed penalty ticket or summonsed to attend court. If you heed the advice in both warning letters then you will not be proceeded against.

back to top

I have received a warning letter yet I wasn’t driving the vehicle. What do I do?

You should make the driver aware of the contents of the letter and any other material enclosed. Speed Watch monitors vehicles not drivers so it would be advisable to inform all users of the vehicle of the warning.

back to top

I have received a warning letter for an incident on a date after I had sold the vehicle. What happens now?

You should contact the named person on the letter and inform them of the change of keeper. You should have also given this information to DVLA.

back to top

Why doesn’t the warning letter tell me how fast I was driving?

Speed Watch only sends letters to vehicles travelling faster than the ACPO guidance (10% +2) or in some cases a higher limit. The letter is a warning and will not result in a prosecution.

back to top

My vehicle wasn’t in the location stated on the warning letter.

There are a number of processes in place to verify the registration of the speeding vehicle. On the rare occasion a warning letter is sent out by mistake the details will be deleted from the database. To start this process you will need to contact the named person on the warning letter.

back to top

I wish to complain about a member of a Speed Watch team.

Both Community and Neighbourhood Speed Watch operators have strict guidelines to adhere to and are expected to maintain a professional approach to monitoring. If you feel that this was not the case then please contact the Neighbourhood Team Leader (police sergeant), for the area in which the team was monitoring. They will investigate your complaint.

back to top

I have received a warning letter but it doesn’t say who monitored me. How can I find this out?

This information is kept secure in the interest of staff and volunteer safety and will not normally be disclosed. The information is available to supervisors should the need to investigate a complaint or incident arise. Speed Watch sessions are staffed by police officers, police community support officers and police volunteers or a mixture of all three.

back to top

What equipment is used to monitor vehicles?

This depends on the location, Speed Watch type and availability of equipment. The most commonly used device for Community Speed Watch is the Decatur Genesis GHD hand held radar device. This is a non-type approved device. This means that we can’t, in normal circumstances, use the data from the device for a prosecution. These devices are never used for enforcement in this country.

You may also see roadside speed indication devices. These devices work using radar and display your speed as you approach. These devices are never used for enforcement.

In certain conditions and subject to availability we have to use laser speed detection devices. These devices can be type approved and can be used for enforcement when be operated by properly trained and authorised personnel.

back to top

Why are you using members of the public to monitor speed?

The problem of speeding is the highest occurring local priority for Devon & Cornwall Police. Communities across the counties want to be involved in the battle to reduce speeds and are happy to donate time. However, ALL police volunteers are vetted, trained, supported and insured. As members of the extended policing family they also have 100% backing from Devon and Cornwall Police and are allocated support managers.  Should any police volunteer be abused or intimidated the offender will be dealt with according to criminal law.

back to top

I have a speeding problem in my neighbourhood. What can I do?

There are a couple of checks that have to be made before putting a Community Speed Watch together. Your first point of contact should be your local neighbourhood beat manager (police officer) and / or PACT Panel.
There may already be a local team in operation that you can join.

back to top

Can I join a Community Speed Watch team for a day to see what it’s like?

Unfortunately only properly inducted and trained police volunteers are able to carry out monitoring because of insurance issues. Your local neighbourhood beat manager (police officer) will be able to discuss the scheme with you or put you in touch with someone that can.

back to top

If you have a question that cannot be answered here -

For questions about Speed Watch in general contact our Force Speed Watch Officer.
For questions about volunteering within Devon and Cornwall Police in general contact our Police Volunteer Co-ordinator.
For questions about Speed Watch locally contact your local neighbourhood policing team.

back to top