A volunteering group is helping reduce motorists’ speed in Halstead, according to its leader.

Andrew Munday, a councillor who leads Halstead Community Speed Watch, revealed the number of motorists reported to the police for speeding by members had dropped dramatically last year.

He admitted the group carried out fewer patrols last year, but insisted he believed drivers were more aware of the road speed limits.

Mr Munday said: “We are slowing people down and preventing accidents.

“People see the signs when we are operating and do slow down and I expect when people do get a ticket it makes them think twice about speeding."