Community Speedwatch

I wanted to provide you with an update regarding Road Safety Issues, which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey.

On Monday 17 November 2025 officers from the Hartlepool Neighbourhood Police Team conducted a Community Speedwatch event on Elwick Road near to Elwick Park in the Rural West area of town in response to complaints of vehicles speeding in the area.

During the session 97 vehicles were observed and 42 of those vehicles were driving in excess of the 30mph limit, the highest speed recorded was 43mph. The registered keepers of the vehicles found to have been exceeding the speed limit can expect to receive an advisory letter or a personal visit from the police.

Frequently Asked Questions
• What is Community Speedwatch?
Community SpeedWatch is a road-safety initiative where officers in partnership with members of the local community monitor vehicle speeds in areas where issues have been reported.
Approved detection equipment is used to record vehicles that exceed the speed limit. The registered keepers of those vehicles will receive warning letters. There are no points added to licences, no financial penalties and no money is made by police.
• Why not just use camera enforcement vans and send out fixed penalty notices (FPN’s)?
The aim of the exercise is to encourage safer driving, reduce the number and severity of accidents and improve the quality of life for local people whilst involving the community. The emphasis of Community SpeedWatch is on behaviour change and education and it is carried out in conjunction with other initiatives as part of our efforts to improve road safety for everyone.
• Can I have a SpeedWatch session in my area?
Possibly, our officers will need to visit the proposed road and ensure that it is suitable to set up the equipment. If you’re interested in having a Speedwatch session in your area please visit the Cleveland Police website https://www.cleveland.police.uk/, enter your postcode in the “Find your area” section and use the contact form to get in touch with a member of the NPT for your area.
• Haven’t you got anything better to do?
Our Neighbourhood Policing Team have many varied demands, with the safety of our community at the heart of all we do. Speeding is a real and common concern and it compliments the other areas of policing and road safety work that we and our colleagues in other departments do on a daily basis.

Get Involved

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