VILLAGERS in Herefordshire are helping police target speeders - by catching the culprits on camera themselves.

Members of the public have been loaned specialist equipment, given police training and issued with signs and fluorescent jackets as part of the Community Speedwatch initiative.

Villages will take it in turns to wield the cameras during the 12-month trial.

"Rural crime surveys indicate that real, or perceived, incidents of speeding are a major factor in preventing people from enjoying the environment they have chosen to live in," said Chief Insp Shane Hancock, who is leading the initiative.

"The majority of rural locations claiming to be affected by speeding do not fit the profile for physical road-calming measures, and regular police intervention at every problem site is not achievable over a long period."

At the end of a year, the scheme could be rolled out to other parts of the West Mercia Constabulary area if it is deemed to be a success.