Latest news with #MickRoffe
Auto Express
02-07-2025
- Auto Express
North Yorkshire's first speed camera is out for a duck: destroyed by vandals on day one
The first fixed speed camera in North Yorkshire has been destroyed just 24 hours after its installation, with police launching an investigation into what they describe as a 'deliberate' act of vandalism. Although there are already over 8,000 fixed speed cameras operating across the UK, this was the first unit in North Yorkshire, and installed as part of a three-month trial, in Sherburn on the A64 between Malton and Scarborough. However, shortly after its unveiling ceremony on 31 June and mere hours before it was due to be switched on, the camera was knocked over by vandals, pulling up part of the pavement and exposing electricity cables – which the police say they are hard at work making sure are safe. Advertisement - Article continues below Prior to the camera's installation, Superintendent Mick Roffe from North Yorkshire Police said: 'The fact that we are promoting the exact location of this camera shows that this isn't about a quick way to generate money; it's about enforcing the 30mph limit on a route which has historically seen several serious and fatal collisions.' Following the incident, however, the force said that it was 'disappointing to see that something intended to help keep the village safe and protect members of the public has been targeted by vandals.' The police are asking for witnesses or anyone who may hold any potential information about the vandals or what happened to come forward – especially if they have any footage from a doorbell or security camera. The damage to this camera comes just a few months after the UK began its first trial of AI-assisted camera technology that can not only catch you speeding, but also capture drunk drivers, those not wearing their seatbelt, or people using their mobile phones whilst driving. The scheme was run by Devon and Cornwall Police for a month last December, and could be rolled out nationwide in the coming months and years. Come and join our WhatsApp channel for the latest car news and reviews...
BBC News
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
North Yorkshire's first fixed speed camera installed
The first fixed-location speed camera in North Yorkshire has been installed and is ready to go-live on is located on the A64 in Sherburn, between Malton and Scarborough, as part of a three-month now, North Yorkshire Police has used mobile speed camera vans to patrol the county's road network, but these can only operate during daylight hours."We have real challenges around serious collisions and sadly, people killed on our roads. Speed is a high contributing factor to that," said Supt Mick Roffe, the force's head of specialist operations. "My message to those people who speed in this county routinely is: 'We will be here to catch you when you do speed and this technology will help us do that all times of day and night, and you're not going to always know where it is.'" Sherburn was chosen for the trial based on collision statistics and data from mobile speed camera Supt Roffe said the technology could be moved to different places to stop drivers learning the location of the camera."Do not speed wherever you are in the county, because this kit may be round the corner from you," he said. 'Speeding mindset' Gillian Taylor, who co-ordinates the Average and Fixed Speed Cameras for North Yorkshire campaign group, welcomed the announcement."To get this far is incredible and it feels great that we are actually being listened to and the authorities are taking this seriously," she Ms Taylor, who lives in Cowling, raised concerns about the "halo effect", where drivers slow down for a camera, then speed back up."It's great that it's being trialled, but I wonder how success is going to be measured when I look at our neighbouring counties that are rolling out average speed cameras to rural villages like we live in," she said. Ms Taylor said the historic lack of fixed or average speed cameras in North Yorkshire had resulted in a "speeding mindset" in the county."It's actually embarrassing that our neighbouring counties are taking proactive steps around average speed cameras and North Yorkshire wasn't doing it, but they're at least trialling one, and that's great." York and North Yorkshire's elected Labour mayor David Skaith said speeding along the stretch of the A64 was an "incredible problem"."Time and time again, people tell us that their roads don't feel safe so having cameras like this is going to help create safer communities, safer streets," he said. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
