Listening to residents’ concerns: tackling antisocial road use in Saddleworth & Lees
The Saddleworth & Lees Neighbourhood Policing Team has launched the GMP Saddleworth & Lees Community Speed Watch (CSW) initiative to address antisocial road use. The community-led program, supported by local police, involves six volunteers monitoring speeds on seven key roads selected based on community feedback. The initiative aligns with the national Neighbourhood Policing Week of Action.
Six volunteers in high-visibility vests aimed handheld speed guns at passing traffic on seven Saddleworth & Lees roads Tuesday morning, marking the first outing of Greater Manchester Police’s new Community Speed Watch programme.
The neighbourhood-led scheme, which launched on 24 June 2025, gives local residents official backing to log vehicle speeds and send warning letters to drivers caught travelling above the limit. Police selected the initial seven roads after analysing traffic data and reviewing years of resident complaints about racing, revving and reckless overtaking on routes that thread through the Pennine villages.
Sergeant Brook, who oversaw the debut patrol, said the timing was deliberate: “Today’s launch coincides with the national Neighbourhood Policing Week of Action. This week of action is a celebration of community policing and the vital role local people play in shaping safer neighbourhoods.” He added that the force will expand the watch to additional streets once the six trained volunteers have settled into their weekly rota, stressing that “by working closely with residents, we’re taking proactive steps to address the antisocial use of roads across Saddleworth and Lees.”
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