SCHOOL pupils have teamed up with the police to launch a campaign aimed at getting motorists to reduce their speed.

The initiative, which is co-ordinated by the European Traffic Police Network (TISPOL), will see officers from both Cleveland and Durham forces conduct speed checks.

And for this campaign police have enlisted support from local schoolchildren who have taken part in a short educational film to be shown at the launch on Monday, April 14th.

Pupils at Pelton Community Primary School, on the outskirts of Chester-le-Street, have recorded a short film, which was shown at Hardwick Hall, in Sedgefield, today (Monday, April 14), about their thoughts about speeding drivers and what actions they would like to see to address the problem.

They also took part in a community Speedwatch operation on the main road outside the school.

In the Cleveland and Durham force areas, more than 15,000 speeding offences were recorded in the 2013-14 financial year.

Temporary Chief Inspector Ed Turner, of the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit (CDSOU), said: “It is generally acknowledged that speeding is one of the main factors in serious or fatal injury collisions, involving motorists and other vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.

“We want to educate drivers and work with them to highlight the dangers of speeding, but those who ignore the law can expect us to take firm action.”

Casualty reduction manager for the CDSOU, Ros Pluck said: “As the weather improves and the nights start to become lighter we are reminding motorists of the importance of watching their speed in residential areas and looking out for vulnerable road users, especially pedestrians and cyclists.”

Paul Watson, chairman of Road Safety GB (North-East) said: “Those who travel at higher speeds have less time to identify and react to what is happening around them, it takes them longer to stop and if there is a crash, it is more severe, causing greater injury to the occupants and any pedestrian or rider they hit.”