Southend Council are encouraging local residents to be vigilant and keep the borough's roads safe by becoming a Community Speed Watch volunteer.

The Council is working with Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP) to promote the group in the hopes of recruiting volunteers within Southend.

The role of a volunteer for Community Speed Watch involves taking a few hours out a week to monitor the roads for any people speeding.

The fully-trained volunteers will be expected to visit a site and monitor the speed of passing motorists using a calibrated speed detection device.

This device used by the traffic police and it is shaped like a handgun and measures the speed of passing drivers.

In order to take on this role, volunteers are expected to undergo training which will involve them learning about the causes of fatal crashes, health and safety, communication skills, as well as training on how to use the equipment.

The volunteers will not have the power to issue fines or make arrests but they will pass the vehicle's details onto the police who will then do these jobs.

There are 32 sites which have been approved where volunteers can camp out and monitor vehicle speeds.

Councillor Tony Cox, Executive Councillor for Transport, Waste and Regulatory Services, said: “Road safety is a matter of the utmost importance.

"In 2016, 93 people were killed or seriously injured in traffic collisions in Southend-on-Sea alone, and this is a continuing issue on our roads.

"Community Speed Watch has proven that it is a successful group for catching people who think it is okay to speed. In 2016, 13,114 drivers were detected across Essex and given a formal warning thanks to the Community Speed Watch volunteers.

“We urge anyone with some free time to get involved in this very important group.”

Daniel Parsons, Roads Policing Inspector for Essex Police, added: “Community Speed Watch volunteers make a valuable contribution to the reduction of casualties on our roads in Essex.

“By reporting vehicles travelling at excessive speeds, we can then contact the registered owner informing them that they, or other drivers of their vehicle, need to be more aware of speed limits.

“Those drivers that are reported to us on several occasions may receive a visit from one of our Roads Policing Officers for a face-to-face conversation about their driving habits.

“Community Speed Watch volunteers also provide a visible presence in the community reminding drivers of their responsibility to drive within the speed limit.

“I am pleased our partners and community groups in Southend-on-Sea are taking a proactive approach to this type of community and road safety scheme.”

Information about how to join a Community Speed Watch group in Southend-on-Sea and the date of the next training course can be obtained by emailing community.speedwatch@essex-fire.gov.uk or calling 01376 576230.