CONCERNED residents have established a community speed watch scheme in Poole, in a bid to get motorists to drive more slowly through the area.

The Branksome Park & Canford Cliffs Residents Association is the organisation behind the initiative.

Residents have voiced concerns about too many vehicles speeding through Branksome Park and Canford Cliffs, in particular high-end performance cars appearing to exceed the speed limit.

Neighbours were also worried about a 'Supercar Sunday' event, advertised on social media, which took place at Ravine Road car park at the weekend.

Project leader and local resident Roy Pointer said: "Speed watch is closely controlled and supervised by the Dorset Police who vet team members and assess the monitoring locations for safety of road users as well as the speed watch teams.

"Speed watch is used nationally and in Dorset alone there are over 80 teams operating.

"Teams spend around an hour on each sortie logging the total number of vehicles passing the point and recording vehicles exceeding the 30mph limit."

In Canford Cliffs teams of four, wearing hi-vis speed watch jackets, will be armed with portable radar detectors to monitor speeds on local roads.

Mr Pointer said the main roads they will concentrate on will include The Avenue, Western Road and Canford Cliffs Road, as these long straight stretches are crossed by minor roads causing potential for danger to other road users and pedestrians.

Any speeding vehicle's registration will be noted together with the make and model and colour.

Details are then sent to the Dorset Road Safe team at Dorset Police, then after checking the information with the nationally held vehicle database, a letter is sent from the police to remind the owner that speed limits should be respected.

Speed watch activity can not directly result in any prosecutions, these can only be made by official speed cameras and police officers.

"Nevertheless, the use of volunteers visibly deployed is likely to influence drivers and lead to safer roads in Branksome Park and Canford Cliffs for the benefit of residents and visitors alike," said Mr Pointer. "You have been warned."