New Motorcycle Enforcement Team Tackles Speeding Across the Isle of Wight

A new initiative to tackle speeding across local communities has already recorded more than 2,200 offences in just over seven months.

Since August last year, the Safer Roads Unit has been using two police motorcyclists equipped with handheld laser and video speed detection devices.

The officers can target locations that are difficult for traditional speed camera vans, such as near schools and in rural areas.

The trial has been so successful that the Motorcycle Enforcement Team is now a permanent part of the unit.

Local policing teams can call them in wherever speeding is a concern, helping to reassure residents that their worries are being taken seriously.

Paul Freeman, who leads the team, said:

"This initiative has been a huge success.

"The bikes are smaller and more agile than speed camera vans, so we can operate in places we couldn’t reach before. Near schools, on narrow roads – the bikes can go almost anywhere."

He added that the motorcyclists are highly visible, which helps with public engagement and driver education.

Officers can replay offences on their handheld devices so drivers can see exactly why they were caught.

"The main goal is to educate drivers so they don’t speed again," Paul said.

"If you don’t speed, you don’t need to worry.

"But the number of offences we’ve captured shows that speeding is still a serious problem.

"Please slow down – it’s about keeping everyone safe."

The Motorcycle Enforcement Team will continue to respond to community concerns, helping make the Isle of Wight’s roads safer for everyone.