Bike cameras to target speeding
Shropshire motorists could soon be caught on camera by a new device designed to crack down on speeding vehicles - an enforcement motorcycle. Bosses of West Mercia Safety Camera Partnership, which stung drivers for more than £2.8 million in fines last year, say the bike is already proving a big success.
They would now like to see it used at problem areas such as Monkmoor Road and Ellesmere Road in Shrewsbury where there is not enough space to use traditional methods.
One motorcycle - a 650cc Honda Deauville - is already operating in the south of the West Mercia police area.
It boasts a lightweight version of the mobile laser speed detecting equipment used in the partnership's vans.
The bike is able to get to places where the vans cannot be used.
The operator, a civilian employed by West Mercia Police Authority, parks at the side of the road
Partnership manager Trevor McAvoy said: "Bike and operator have high visibility markings and clothing, while the luggage box on the back of the bike flips up with a camera sign.
"It's obviously high profile and it's amazing how people's speed drops when the motorcycle is operating.
"I would like to develop the use of motorcycles in this way, particularly at sites like Monkmoor Road and Ellesmere Road in Shrewsbury where there is restricted space."
Meanwhile, the partnership has revealed it achieved a surplus of £431,916 in the last financial year, with £2,853,240 in fixed penalty fines paid into the courts.
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