Volunteers manning the Community Speedwatch scheme in Dauntsey have helped police catch drivers speeding through the village.

The three offenders were fined after being repeatedly caught by volunteers who passed on details of the drivers’ vehicles and movements to Wiltshire Police.

The police then waited for the offending motorists to come through the village and caught them after a chase.

Dauntsey villager Ellen Blacker is delighted and said: “We paper tigers have got claws now.”

She said that the fines had raised the morale of the volunteers who are out in all winds and weathers.

Offenders caught by the scheme are initially sent letters but after the third time police visit the drivers in person.

Mrs Blacker said: “I don’t want anyone to get fined or given points I just want them to stop speeding.”

Inspector Steve Cox described Speedwatch as “a fantastic scheme that has empowered the local community to take actions to make their area a safer place to live and work”.

He added: “All neighbourhood policing teams have been trained and enforcement will continue.

“Community Speedwatch is alive and working well, parishes are encouraged to join the scheme.”

Malmesbury Area Board chairman, John Thomson, said: “This scheme enables local people to tackle the problem and work with the police and Wiltshire Council to see some positive results.”