Police catch 100 speeding drivers in just five hours during operation in Northumberland villages

The mobile van was implemented in villages around the north of the county last week after concerns from the community over the dangerous levels of speeding on the roads in the area.

Berwick Neighbourhood Inspector John Swan, from Northumbria Police, said: “It was lovely to hear how much support the camera operator received from the community and I hope this reassures residents that we take community concerns very seriously and they are being listened to.

“It remains vital that we continue to work to keep our streets safe for all road users and our work will not end here. More vans will be out on patrol including other areas across north Northumberland where communities have raised similar concerns.

Insp Swan added: “We’ve seen people travelling at high speeds around tight-cornered country roads, which is dangerous enough, but now we’re getting into icy weather and speeding can have some life changing consequences.

“It is a very simple message that we continue to push – speeding is never worth it, it can not only change your life but the lives of anyone you hit and that of friends and family from all involved.

“Think twice before hitting the accelerator – it could be your life.”

The speed camera van was deployed in the Bamburgh and Seahouses area on Sunday, while the day before it had been in Cornhill-on-Tweed.

Pc Curtis Ritchie, speaking at a meeting of Wooler Parish Council on Monday night, revealed that some 55 vehicles had been checked in Bamburgh and Seahouses and six were pulled over for driving too fast.

A speed survey had previously detected drivers going through Bamburgh at over 50mph.

Pc Ritchie said it was hoped that the implementation of a new policing model would free up officer time to carry out more speed checks.

Wooler parish councillors have called for the speed camera van to be deployed on South Road (A697).

“We need to see if we can get the speed down there,” said Coun Angus Murray.