Stoke pupils deliver speed message

Officers from Devonport joined forces with local schoolchildren to deliver a message to drivers on the implications of breaking the speed limit.

The event was part of Devonport Speed Awareness Day and was led by members of the Devonport local policing team with a little help from their colleagues for the day - the pupils of Stoke Demerol Primary School!

Local officers and PCSOs utilised a speed detection device and identified 13 vehicles in that hour travelling over the speed limit.

Rather than issue points and a fine the officers stopped the vehicles and then invited the motorists to engage with the students from the school, who asked them some questions about why they were speeding.

Sergeant Fleetwood explained why Devonport Speed Awareness Day is so important: “The operation is a great way to involve and educate both children and adults about the dangers of speeding.

“Having the children from the local school question drivers who were over the speed limit has a greater emotional impact on drivers rather than just issuing a fine. Hopefully this approach will help change their habits and get them to slow down in future.”

Devonport local policing team chose Valletort Road as it is one of the primary routes around Stoke which has heavy traffic use. The drivers spoken to were receptive and engaged well with the children.

PCSO Chadwick said the day was a great success: “It was great working with the local school kids who really got into the spirit of the day. It’s also great chance for the public to see some positive, high visibility policing in the area.”

“We are working hard to make this community one of the safest places to live in Devon and Cornwall, and delivering operations such as this, and working with the public go a long way in helping us achieve that objective.”