1. Introduction:

This Code of Practice (CoP) has been produced jointly by members of the Avon and Somerset Constabulary (A&SC) and experienced members of existing Somerset Community Speed Watch (CSW) teams. The purpose is to ensure that all CSW teams throughout the Avon & Somerset Constabulary operate in a police approved and uniform manner that complies with legal and health and safety regulations. All CSW Co-ordinators should ensure that each member of their respective teams is fully acquainted with the CoP and the related CSW Aide Memoire.




It is divided into two parts. The first is mandatory and the second is advisory and based upon experience. Both parts may be updated periodically to reflect changing requirements.



2. Mandatory

The following rules are to be followed:



1. All personnel operating as CSW team members are to have attended a formal CSW police training session and are to be over 18 years of age. Non-trained personnel are permitted to observe but must be over 18 years of age, and are not allowed to be an active member of the team.
2. When engaged in a CSW session it is the responsibility of every volunteer involved to be aware of the Health & Safety of their colleagues and if there is any doubt as to an individuals ability to safely participate in a CSW session this should be raised with the individual and if necessary the session terminated and any issues referred to the local Police CSW representative for guidance.
3. CSW teams are only to operate at police approved sites for which Risk Assessments have been completed. CSW teams are not to block the right of way of pedestrians nor obscure the vision of drivers attempting to join a road, for example from a drive or at a junction.
4. CSWs are only to take place during daylight hours and not during lighting up times or darkness. Furthermore, they are only to take place when road and weather conditions are considered safe to do so, e.g. CSWs in thick fog or severe icy road conditions would not be appropriate. Furthermore, teams are not to conceal their presence from motorists
5. CSW teams must consist of at least two and preferably not more than 4 trained members. Approved reflective jackets are to be worn at all times during a CSW by all team members and observers. CSW equipment is to be used only for CSW sessions.
6. CSW teams should, if possible, carry a switched on mobile telephone in case there is a need to contact, or be contacted by the police.
7. CSW team members should not suffer any form of intimidation from anyone. Any incident will be taken seriously and positive police action undertaken to deal with offenders. The police should be contacted using one of the methods below. If possible, intimidators, obscene gesturers and verbal abusers, who need not necessarily be speeders, are to be given the approved letter from the Avon and Somerset Constabulary. Copies of this letter must be carried by all teams when carrying out a CSW. Team members are not to enter into protracted and potentially heated debates with them. Never pass personal details to any driver or passenger. Unless a serious offence has occurred, investigations and any action taken will be undertaken by your Beat Manager who will be your point of contact. Always keep your District CSW Co-ordinator or your Police Liaison member informed of the above.


1. Dial 999 This should be used when an incident is ongoing and IMMEDIATE assistance is required, for example where members are being threatened and there is a risk to life or of injury.
2. Force Service Centre - 101. This should be used for incidents that have happened where the offender has left the location and there is no immediate threat. (It is important that you report through the Force Service Centre (FSC) as this ensures that the incident is logged and dealt with as there will be a clear audit trail. Always ensure that you obtain a log number, which is a reference number, given when you call.)




The following information will be required in all cases:

• Location of the incident.
• Nature of the incident.
• Your name.
• Your telephone number.
• Exact description of what has happened.
• A description of the people involved and of any vehicle involved.
8. To ensure timely processing of letters, correlation of speed data with reports from other teams and rapid police contact with multi repeat speeders, the CSW Record of Vehicle Speeds information is to be sent by electronic mail to your CSW administrator, the database manager, the relevant NPT (Neighbourhood Policing Team) and other designated recipients within seven days after a CSW has taken place. The record is to include the date, time, and site post code at which the CSW took place and the names of the CSW team members. The names of the police present and their actions, e.g. bookings, should also to be included. If electronic mail cannot be used then paper records should be sent to your administrator for processing. As the original paper records may be required for legal purposes such as court appearances, they should be kept by Co-ordinators for at least one year.
9. Only vehicles that are travelling above the speed limit plus 10% plus 2 mph are to be reported, eg 36 mph and above in a 30 mph zone. Essential data required on a speeding vehicle is time, index number, colour, and speed. Desirable information is the vehicle type, e.g. van or car, the make or model and direction of travel (north, south, east or west). Other distinguishing features may be included, e.g. broken number plates, unserviceable lights. Additional CSW reported data may show if the driver was using a hand held telephone, or that the driver or passenger(s) was not wearing a seatbelt.
10. Teams should email their CSW rotas to their local RPU (Roads Policing Unit) and their NPT (Neighbourhood Policing Team) ideally at least two weeks, but not more than four weeks, in advance. If they plan to carry out an unscheduled CSW or cancel a planned CSW they should try to contact the RPU by telephone. They should also try to contact their NPT.


3. Advisory

The following points are advisory:



1. Try to carry out at least one or two CSWs of one to two hours per week and liaise frequently with your NPT.
2. Acknowledge the goodwill shown by passing motorists and pedestrians.
3. Keep a log of speeders against number of transiting vehicles for specific sites and times. This will enable CSWs to assess accurately their effectiveness over a period of time and thus deploy teams to where and when they will have most impact. It may also be useful to the police who may wish to use the information to identify sites where their presence may be beneficial.
4. Liaise and work with and, when needed, assist adjacent CSW teams. Where practical, carry out simultaneous CSWs.

Name: Ian Smith

Date: December 2010

Title: Superintendent, Roads Policing Unit