Police have been conducting speed checks in Birchington after residents there said the issue is the one which concerns them the most.

Officers were in Canterbury Road between 11am and 12.30pm on Tuesday 19 January where they stopped two motorists for speeding. Both were given speeding tickets and must pay a fine of £60 and have their driving licences endorsed with three points.

Two more motorists were given verbal warnings about their speed after they were caught marginally exceeding the speed limit and another was fined for not holding a current MOT.

You set priorities, we take action

The speed check was carried out after people in the area took part in a survey asking what members of the community thought should be the three police priorities in their part of the district.

Neighbourhood officers in Thanet have carried out more than 3,000 of these surveys. The information is recorded on handheld devices so it can be quickly collated, enabling officers to identify the key issues they need to take action on.

Sergeant Ian Warner from the Thanet neighbourhood policing team was at the scene of the speed check with Councillors Roger Latchford and Margaret Sheldrick. He said: 'This is not about us doing what we think you want us to do. We want people to tell us what it is that concerns them and we will act accordingly.'

Policing east Kent's roads

The Birchington speed check was carried out by the east Kent roads policing unit, which was formed in early November last year. The team of six officers is dedicated to reducing death and serious injury on the district's roads.

The team is led by Sergeant Dave Knox, who said: 'What we call the 'Big Four' continually crop up: that's drink or drug driving, the use of handheld devices, no seatbelt and excess speed.

'This was a high-profile operation in Birchington and I hope a timely reminder for people not to get complacent. Drivers around the district will be seeing a lot more of us.'

You set priorities, we take action

Find out who your neighbourhood officer is, and get details of priorities and meetings where you live, by entering your postcode into the Your neighbourhood search or by calling 01622 690690.

You said, we did

Find out how Kent Police and councils are dealing with crime and anti-social behaviour where you live. Visit our You said, We did page or read your local community safety newsletter.

Posted on: 29 January 2010