Auto Speedwatch Trial Update from PCC David Sidwick to all Parish Councils and CSW Teams
Dear Parish Councillor,
Auto Speed Watch / Community Speed Watch
As Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, I would like to take this opportunity to provide an update on the recent AutoSpeedWatch (ASW) trial which commenced in March 2024 and ran until November 2024.
I would like to start by reiterating and reassuring you of my commitment to road safety as it is of high importance and affects so many people across Dorset. Road safety is a priority within my Police and Crime Plan and the OPCC proactively work with Dorset Roadsafe to establish initiatives to improve road safety across Dorset. The ASW cameras were being trialled across Dorset as part of a new initiative to combat speeding.
Fixed and mobile safety enforcement cameras require ‘Type Approval’ from the Home Office which is a lengthy process. Due to the length of time it takes for manufacturers of enforcement cameras to obtain Home Office Type Approval, manufacturers have produced cameras of varying capabilities and costs that are not approved for prosecution purposes but can be used to deter speeding offences by detecting and recording the number plate of speeding vehicles – the ASW cameras trialled in Dorset were of the non-approved type.
The ASW cameras work by capturing speeding vehicle registrations, which is then followed up by sending a suitably robust ‘no excuse’ warning letter designed to be educational to higher end speeders. If the vehicle is detected a second time, there would be a dedicated uniformed intervention.
I provided funding for the trial of ASW with the aim for ASW to support Dorset’s already successful Community Speed Watch scheme. Alongside this trial, Dorset Police has also been working with another company to develop and trial AI camera technology. The ASW and AI cameras are similar units and we have now trialled both non-type approved cameras currently on the market.
The purpose of the ASW trial was to test the camera functionality, assess the data recorded by the cameras and develop back-office functions required to process letters. The following locations were selected to test the equipment:
- B3157, Swyre
- A353, Littlemoor Rd
- B3157, Chickerell Road, Weymouth
- Leigh village
- Mosterton
- Melplash
- Osmington
- Winterborne Whitechurch
- Iwerne Minster
- Pimperne
- Cranborne Road, Wimborne
- Holt Lane, Holt
- Frampton, Dorchester
The ASW trial has proved beneficial in many ways, and it has enabled us to fully test the equipment and the deployment at several sites across Dorset. Unfortunately, eight out of the twelve units were vandalised, due to the relatively low maximum height of 3m-4m the units must be deployed at. During the trial, these units were repaired at an additional cost to my office and returned to their original locations, but it did highlight the fragility of the internal components of the units. The ideal height to reduce the risk of vandalism exceeds the maximum working height specified for the units.
Another concern was that the data and imagery produced by the units fell below the standard and quality expected. The camera images were of poor quality and in a significant number of cases the cameras provided inaccurate recordings where photographs were taken when no vehicle was present, yet a speed had been recorded.
Following evaluation of the trial and discussions with other areas, we identified operational issues, which has led us to the joint position from Dorset Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, not to progress with the ASW camera units.
The AI trials were more successful, but, despite negotiations with the company, the cost of these systems exceed our budgetary constraints. However, Dorset Police continue to work with the AI company and will continue to assist with the development of the AI cameras, which may reduce costs further down the line.
Whilst I am satisfied that the ASW trial has been a very beneficial exercise and that the equipment and capabilities have been fully tested, I am disappointed that the ASW cameras do not meet the expected standard for them to be a viable option for Dorset going forward.
We will continue to scope other technological opportunities as and when they arise to find suitable cost-effective devices that meet our road safety aims and objectives.
Yours sincerely,
Dave
David Sidwick | Police & Crime Commissioner
Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner | Force Headquarters | Winfrith | Dorset | DT2 8DZ