A NEWLY installed speed trap in Matchborough is catching about 7,000 offending motorists driving over the 40mph speed limit each week.

West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion recently joined local councillors Juliet Brunner and Tom Baker-Price (both Conservative) to see the community speedwatch they called for in response to numerous concerns from residents about cars bolting through the district.

The vehicle activated sign on Icknield Street Drive was installed two months ago.

Mr Campion has supported the expansion of the Community Speed watch scheme across West Mercia to enable residents and councillors to undertake speeding checks in their community to support the work of the local police.

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: "I promised the communities of West Mercia that I would work with local partners to tackle the issues that mattered to them. It is good to see these important issues being championed by effective local councillors and the working being done to address them."

Cllr Juliet Brunner said: "The new community speed equipment is great and it shows drivers their speed and hopefully the message that speeding drivers aren't welcome in our community will get through."

Cllr Baker-Price added: "This important scheme gets drivers to thinks about their speed which helps keep Redditch roads safe."