Speedwatch – planning a co-ordinated approach to delivery
In the nine years that Alan Watson has been Community Speedwatch Manager for Kent, it has become very apparent that there are inconsistencies between forces as there is currently no national SpeedWatch standard/guidance for police forces and therefore it is down to each force to permit a variation of Community Speedwatch for their own area.
What’s more, in different areas Speedwatch is led by either police, local authority, PCC’s office or the fire service.
In October 2023, Alan organised the first ever virtual Speedwatch coffee morning, where forces came together to present the scale of Community Speedwatch nationally, and discuss how impactive it could be if everyone worked the same way. It was also an opportunity to share best practice and open communication channels to share experiences, both positive and negative.
This has now developed into a monthly meeting that started in January 2025 to enable forces to obtain a full national picture.
In Kent last year a first ever countywide day of action for Speedwatch was trialled, which was a great success, and Alan is proposing the first ever national Speedwatch day, to make an impact on speeds on rural and urban roads. Some drivers have no idea about Speedwatch and what volunteers do, and why they do it, so it is hoped that the first national day of action will show the strength and efforts that the community are undertaking to assist the police with the reduction of speed - making roads slower and safer where we live, work and visit.
Alan Watson, Community Speedwatch Manager, Kent Police
Before becoming Community Speedwatch Manager for Kent Police, Alan Watson’s previous role was within the force control room as a dispatcher taking 999 calls from public, through to dispatching patrols to incidents including, for example, from earthquake responses though to road traffic collisions.
In his time in the control room, Alan’s awareness of road safety issues developed due to the number of calls the team received.
He is also a senior leader in the Special Constabulary at the Rank of Special Chief Inspector, a role he has undertaken for 23 years. In that time Alan has always had a passion for road safety and education for all road users, which is why he volunteers to undertake speed checks and works with local schools to educate young people, empowering them to speak out and challenge parents/family members if they are not driving safely.