THE eighth community speedwatch scheme to educate speeding drivers has been set up in Gwent.

The scheme, which trains volunteers to monitor passing vehicles which are driving above the speed limit, was first launched in Llanfair Kilgeddin, near Abergavenny in June of last year, and started in Little Mill/Monkswood on Friday.

There are already schemes running in Llandogo, Tintern, Usk, Abergavenny, Peterstone and Itton. Other parts of Gwent including St Arvans, Rudry, Llangym and Magor are due to set up their schemes shortly.

The community-led initiative aims to educate drivers about the dangers of speeding while addressing concerns of local residents about cars speeding through their neighbourhoods.

It operates on roads with speed limits of 40mph or below. The team of residents who have signed up have been trained to monitor passing vehicles that are driving above the speed limit.

They work alongside Gwent Police officers or community support officers.

If a vehicle is seen breaking the speed limit, the registration number will be taken down and verified by the volunteers. The details are then entered onto a database from which a letter is automatically produced informing the registered owner that their vehicle has been noted to have exceeded the speed limit, the dangers of doing so and the consequences if they’re found speeding again.

While no prosecutions or penalties are received as a direct result of speedwatch, if the same registration number is logged three times, more formal action may be taken.

Volunteers are provided with high visibility jackets, roadside signs and receive specialist training to use the equipment and record details of offending vehicles. To find out more email Emily.godsell@gwent.pnn.police.uk