Drop in complaints on speeding drivers

The number of complaints about speeding drivers along major routes in Cannock has fallen, police bosses have revealed.

But they today pledged to push ahead with a High Court injunction to stop speeding drivers congregating at Longford Island and the Orbital Retail Park.

Police bosses will meet with the council's legal team next week to compile a body of evidence to support the application. Around 200 people have added their voice in an online survey about the issue.

However, Ch Insp Carl Ratcliffe today said the number of complaints across Cannock about speeding motorists had fallen following a series of crackdowns on affected roads.

The most recent was on August 13 and saw 24 cars stopped along racing hotspots Eastern Way, the Orbital and Longford Island.

Another crackdown was carried out earlier in the month, with one car seized and six motorists given warnings.

Ch Insp Ratcliffe today said: "From the comments and feedback I have been getting, local residents have certainly noticed a considerable difference since we started taking enforcement action.

"We've has some successful operations and it's having a marked effect in that we are receiving less complaints to the police control room.

"We're really pleased the current action we are taking is having the desired effect."

He said evidence was still being put together in relation to the High Court injunction and council legal chiefs and police chiefs would sit down together next week.

He also vowed more sting operations would take place in the coming weeks in a bid to further tackle the problem.

If the High Court injunction is granted, police will have greater powers and could see speeders fined or jailed for up to two years.