Stroud was the focus for a high-profile road safety campaign lead by Special Constables in which offenders were given a rare opportunity to 'escape' a fine.

Stroud Mayor Andy Read joined 38 officers and a number of other agencies in the event held on Saturday 6th February as part of National Specials Weekend.

Cllr Read, who is also an independent member of Gloucestershire Police Authority, joined officers at three check points around the town. Those caught either without a seatbelt, using a mobile phone or speeding were given the option of a fixed penalty fine or attending an awareness-raising session in the town centre.

A total of 23 motorists were stopped for not wearing a seatbelt, 15 for speeding offences and six for using a mobile phone whilst driving. All but four of these offenders attended the education session and their tickets were revoked. The four who failed to turn up will have their fixed penalty fines issues, and if applicable, points added to their licence.

Around 100 members of the public went away with information and advice from stalls and displays on the forecourt of Stroud police station.

Assistant Divisional Officer Steve Lindsay said the event was a big success. “The operation was a fantastic opportunity for public engagement and there was a lot of public praise and comments, especially about the high-profile police presence and the emphasis on road safety.”

“Offending motorists took on board the educational road safety package, there was also positive feedback left on questionnaires which each offender completed after the package was delivered.”

During the event officers were also deployed to assist in searching for a missing nine-year-old boy in Stroud. Officers have also detected an assault reported during the day. One vehicle was seized for having no insurance.

Cllr Read spent four hours with officers during the day and said: “It was a superb opportunity for me to find out more about the wonderful work that Special Constables do in the town. It is yet another wonderful example of how local people give up their time freely to help others in their community.”

He added: “There was a very positive response from people who had committed offences who welcomed the opportunity to receive training instead of a fine. They all found it raised their awareness about why they had been stopped and the reasons for the laws.”

“There was also strong support from members of the public in seeing a high police presence on the streets.”

Picture left: Stroud Mayor Andy Read (second on right) with officers from the Special Contstabulary, PCSO and Neighbourhood Warden during the road safety event in Stroud.

Article added online: Tuesday February 9th 2010

Pictures by Andy Read