VILLAGERS could soon be operating their own speed guns in a bid to help police crackdown on speeding bikers and motorists across the district.

Police are inviting local people to start their own community speed watch schemes' which will target speed hotspots, using speed guns that may be bought by the local communities.

Parish and town councils have been contacted with a view to getting involved in the initiative which requires the villagers involved to undergo special training.

The last police and community consultative group meeting, held in Ongar, was told that speeding continues to be a problem through Stanford Rivers, and also through Fyfield where motorcyclists are said to use the B184 as a "race track" on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Essex Police said the traffic monitoring scheme aims to "address the problem of real or perceived speed related offending in partnership with the community together with reducing the number of injury road traffic collisions".

Roads put forward for the scheme have to meet certain criteria before they can be targeted.

They must have been the scene of one or more recorded injury collision in the last 12 months and not be part of existing camera enforcement provided by the Essex Safety Camera Partnership.

Volunteers, who when out on patrol' will have to wear special reflective jackets, will be required to attend Essex Police headquarters for initial training covering health and safety, the use of speed detection equipment, legislation and other associated matters.

Operational logs will be taken by the scheme volunteers and submitted to police.

A minimum of six volunteers for each location must give a commitment to a minimum of one hour per week.

Drivers of speeding vehicles will have the vehicle details, and their speed, recorded on a timed, dated and signed speed watch daily activity sheet.

Epping and Ongar police inspector Neil Fox said: "This will determine one way or another whether the problem is real or perceived and local people can then make a decision as to how they wish to continue. It also fits in with the new style of Neighbourhood Policing.

"Local people will take control of a major problem in their area and report findings to the police. They will not stop or confront drivers."

He added: "Drivers exceeding the speed limit will have their vehicle registration numbers taken and police will send a warning letter. Persistent high speed offenders will be identified and targeted by police."

Richard Bassett, of Nazeing Action Group, said: "Whilst it seems a good idea on paper I'm concerned civilians are doing what the police should be doing. I also have some concerns that it might cause arguments within the village and should only be instigated once the whole village has had its chance to discuss and vote."

Epping town clerk Bob Whittome said: "This matter is of interest to the council since there are several places in the town where speed is an issue, particularly near Ivy Chimneys Primary School."