Help combat anti-social and reckless driving in Melksham

THE Melksham Area Community Safety Group is appealing to the community for their help to combat anti-social and reckless driving around the town.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Colin Goodhind, said, “Contact from the public expressing concerns about anti-social and reckless driving around the Melksham area has now reached a point where we feel it is necessary to take some action in the interests of public safety.

“To do this though, we need to know what the community is able and prepared to do to help. Hearing or being irritated by inconsiderate driving isn’t enough on its own and vehicles fitted with noisy exhausts are often badly maintained but not necessarily speeding.

“Irritating as it may be, especially in the early hours or late at night, it’s the risk of injury to the public posed by these often young and inexperienced drivers that we must focus on first. The police do not have the resources to be able to sit in their vehicles watching for these drivers, but it has been suggested that the community in general could do a lot to help.

“If people were to look out for vehicles that attract attention by the noise they produce, for example backfires, tyre squealing and handbrake turns, a ‘picture’ could be built up of likely culprits, that could then be reported when enough evidence had been gathered.

“Is this an approach you would support or if not, can you suggest another? Please remember that the police need evidence and hearing noisy vehicles apparently racing, which at times they are no doubt doing, is not enough.”

For more information, email: melkshamcommunity safety@gmail.com or call  Melksham Town Council on 01225 704187 and leave a message for the Community Safety Group, along with your contact details.