Speed camera threat on way (From Gazette & Herald)

Speed camera threat on way

MOTORISTS in Ryedale have been warned that speed cameras could be installed on the district's roads if North Yorkshire police force is merged with a neighbouring force.

Sgt Gawen Dickinson told the Helmsley area police and community group meeting at Wass that the police were "optimistic" about the future should there be a merger of North Yorkshire police with constabularies in West and South Yorkshire and Humberside, or just with West Yorkshire.

Bigger forces would have more skills available in the event of such events as a terrorist attack, he told parish councillors.

He gave assurances that the North Yorkshire Eastern Area headquarters at Malton would still be a command unit.

PC Steve Leach said that while North Yorkshire currently had no speed cameras, in neighbouring Cleveland they were sent to book motorists travelling at 31mph in a 30mph area.

He added: "While we don't have any in North Yorkshire, it may change if the amalgamation of forces goes ahead and we could see cameras on roads such as the A170 road."

Most local motorists were adhering to speed limits, but journey times were getting longer as a result, said PC Leach. Many of the motorists being caught by police were visitors to the area.

He added that the police would again by targeting speeding motorcyclists, especially on the notorious B1257 Helmsley to Stokesley road, known in the motorcycling world as the 'Bilsdale TT'.

Police in Ryedale were now using a "very fast" unmarked patrol car.

Farmers have been warned not to use Wass Bank because of traffic restrictions on the steep hill.

Latest crime figures for the Helmsley area show a decrease of 19 to 34 between December last year and February, compared with the same period last year. But there were rises in offences of theft and burglary.

Updated: 16:46 Wednesday, March 15, 2006