WITH regard to my letter (HAS, Dec 23) which highlighted the woeful number of speeding tickets issued by Durham police, a further Freedom of Information request was submitted to Durham Constabulary Information Rights and Disclosure Unit for further information and comment on this data.

As the Unit’s response didn’t provide all of the information requested, the matter was referred to the Information Commissioner for consideration and decision, and the outcome is awaited.

Incidentally, Anthony Bangham, Chief Constable of the West Mercia Force and National Road Policing Chief, has revealed that “97 per cent of drivers caught are spotted by cameras”. Yet it should be noted that the Durham force does not have any fixed cameras.

Here in High Pittington, where speeding is rife, it would appear that “enforcement” is now down to:

a) The occasional Community Speed Watch (CSW) and the issue of an occasional warning letter by the police to speedsters. It should be noted that CSWs are defined by the police as an “educational and preventative scheme, rather than an enforcement”. Not a lot for speedsters to worry about there!

b) A large “Stop Speeding” banner on the village hall railings by Pittington Girls Friendly Society who have taken part in a national challenge to make their voices heard in the community. Well done girls.

Our local county councillors have been advised of this situation and I would ask if they have raised it with our Chief Constable or Police Commissioner.

Again, I would ask when are Durham police chiefs going to do something meaningful about speeding?

E McKeown, High Pittington.