I wonder how the two North Yorkshire officers who dodged a speeding fine on a legal technicality feel now?

I suspect that, given the publicity the case has attracted, they may well wish they could turn back the clock, accept they were in the wrong and take their punishment on the chin.

Apparently, signs similar to the illegal ones on display near Guisborough have also been used in other parts of the country for some time, and that is where any investigation into this farce should begin.

There are strict laws governing the use and design of enforcement signs and for very good reason.

The fact that it was two police officers who first exposed the loophole leaves a nasty taste, but this is a flaw which would have come to light at some stage.

This and other unfortunate episodes will make some members of the public, especially those who have been caught speeding, feel there is one law for them and another for police.

Speed kills and the police are right to target those who put their own lives and those of others at risk. However, I cannot help feeling that certain forces have now gone too far.

I suspect there is not a driver on the road who at some stage has not strayed over the speed limit. To describe such momentary transgressors as louts - as one Chief Constable reportedly did - is foolish.

And prosecuting motorists who are one mile per hour over the limit, or clocking them as they accelerate to overtake a tractor, goes too far.

We police this country by consent and the support of the public is vital. It does not go down well that some forces appear to pour resources into catching speeders at the expense of catching burglars.

Motorists who have been caught speeding on the same stretch as the two officers who dodged their comeuppance may now be tempted to try to have their convictions overturned.

I hope they will decide against such action.

The fact is that, in this region, we have two chief constables, Paul Garvin at Durham and Sean Price at Cleveland, who seem well in tune with local feelings. They take account of public concern when deciding on their policing priorities.

I suspect those who have been fined for speeding through Guisborough were at least ten per cent over the legal limit and, as such, can have no real complaint. I hope they accept they were in the wrong whatever the design of the sign. In doing so they will display more common sense and public spiritedness than the two North Yorkshire police officers.

The term "lout" could more appropriately be applied to those who habitually spit gum in the street, and readers will recall how, in last week's column, I urged police and community wardens to intervene and ask such offenders to pick up their gum.

As well as defacing public areas, such behaviour is incredibly annoying for anyone unfortunate enough to stand in the gum and extremely costly for local authorities to remove. Spitting gum into hedgerows provides a hazard for wildlife.

So you can imagine my dismay when earlier this week the newspapers featured a full colour photo of the singer Lulu spitting gum in the street.

Lulu, you make me want to shout.

Published: 15/08/2003