A RECORD number of community groups, including four in Ryedale, have joined a campaign to reduced speeding.

Community Speed Watch volunteers in Allerston, Weaverthorpe, Sheriff Hutton and Scagglethorpe were among 20 groups which took part in a day of action last week - the county’s biggest ever turn-out on a single day.

They used different methods, including monitoring speeds and high visibility deterrents, to encourage motorists to observe the speed limit and drive carefully.

It was developed after a public consultation in 2014 after four out of five residents showed concerns about road safety in North Yorkshire, and that 72 per cent of people believed that more educational enforcement should be implemented.

Jamie Smith, of North Yorkshire Police’s Traffic Bureau, said: “Today’s record turn-out sends a clear message to motorists that communities welcome careful drivers, but will not tolerate speeding, careless driving or other behaviour that needlessly puts lives at risk.

“We are extremely grateful to volunteers for the fantastic turn-out today across 24 Community Speed Watch locations – it shows how much people care about this issue and support North Yorkshire Police’s attempts to tackle speeding.”

The deployments marked a nationwide campaign by the European Traffic Police Network.

North Yorkshire now has a total of 69 Community Speed Watch groups, including four in Ryedale, which pass on information to the police so offenders can be dealt with.

Jamie added: “By working with us, they are helping us make our roads safer while also directly improving the places they live. It is a win-win approach.”

The scheme was piloted between March and September 2015 and due to positive results and a positive public response, it now forms one part of North Yorkshire Police’s approach to roads policing.

For more information on how to set up a Community Speed Watch group in your area, visit northyorkshire.police.uk/what-we-do/road-policing/community-speed-watch/