Police welcome drop in speeding offences — but catch two drivers …

Speed checks in West Witton. Photo: North Yorkshire Police.

Police have welcomed a drop in the number of motorists caught speeding in Richmondshire — but say some drivers are still breaking the law. More than 180 drivers stopped in the district in November are now facing prosecution or a speed awareness course, although this is down from 486 in October with the same number of checks carried out.

Inspector Martin Metcalfe, from Richmondshire Community Team, welcomed the reduction which comes after a crackdown on speeding drivers across the area He added: “Although maths is not my strongest point, I believe that is a 60 per cent reduction.

“There could obviously be many reasons for this, but I would like to think that the message is getting out.” However Insp Metcalfe said motorists were still being caught breaking the law.

“The worst offenders included two males who appeared to be racing in the Catterick Garrison area and were both clocked doing 52mph and 45mph in a 30mph limit. “I really do look forward to seeing these two males explaining to the magistrates why they were driving in that manner. “There was also a motorist clocked doing 52mph on Leyburn Road which is a 30mph limit and we will see them in court as well.”

Insp Metcalfe said he had identified and agreed with residents to target locations across Richmondshire. These include several in the Richmond area including Whashton Road, three locations at Leyburn, Hudswell, Catterick, Barton, Manfield, Eppleby, West/East Witton, Cleasby, Scotton, Gilling West, Melsonby, Middleham, East Layton, Scorton, Brompton on Swale, Bellerby, Thornton Rust, Hunton, Hawes, Grinton, Askrigg, Reeth, Aysgarth and Harmby, plus Catterick Garrison and Newbiggin (B6160) He added: “There are even more locations that our safety camera vans will be appearing at on the main roads, so my message to anyone coming to our beautiful and very fine county of Richmondshire is, if you speed, you are now much more likely to be caught and prosecuted for it

“Depending on the level of speed, you may be offered a Speed Awareness Course or a roadside warning. “To clarify, these are simply locations that my Community Team will target whilst on patrol at random times, so it is an extra level of service being provided to what you have been used to. “If you have any concerns in relation to speeding in your area, it is very important that you report it via the link below.

This is because they look at the bigger picture, such as warning signs, safety camera van placements, strips across the road to monitor speed etc.

“Please be aware there is a long list they are working through, so there will be a delay in them responding to you.”