Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

A letter from the Police rather than a summons to court.

Over Christmas I met the Community Speed Watch (CSW) co-ordinator. Apparently, the highest speed recorded through the village so far (in a 30mph area) is 50mph.

No doubt the registered keeper will feel hard done by when the Police get in touch. However, he (or she) should be grateful that it was the CSW team and not the Police that recorded the 'indiscretion'.

According to the ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) web site, anyone the Police catch doing 50 in a 30 limit doesn't get 3 points on their licence and a fixed penalty - they get a summons to the local magistrates' court to explain themselves; and the penalty handed down by magistrates is rather more severe.

So, the BMW driver should be grateful to CSW for saving him/her a trip to Chippenham, a large fine and a good number of penalty points on his/her licence or even a ban.