Olly Martins looks at possibility of turning on M1 speed cameras in a bid to raise police funds

PCC for Bedfordshire Olly Martins has said that the financial position of the county’s police force is so desperate speed cameras between the M1’s Junction 10 and 13 may need to be switched on permanently.

Along with this, Mr Martins has brought up the possibility of sponsored uniforms and vehicles.

The Commissioner, who has launched a petition calling on the Government to ensure that Bedfordshire Police is adequately funded, said that unless the force’s grant funding is realigned to the reality of the policing challenges faced by Bedfordshire Police he will have to use his powers to permanently turn on the variable speed cameras, he told the Home Affairs Select Committee yesterday (November 3).

The cameras are usually only on when speed restrictions are in place.

Mr Martins said: “I am running out of levers to pull to keep Bedfordshire Police financially viable. We’ve had a council tax referendum.

“We’ve extensively lobbied the Home Office for fair funding but they haven’t listened and the Chancellor’s spending review at the end of the month means we face more cuts.

“Strict enforcement of the speed limit could raise £1million and to me that’s better than losing 25 more police officers.

Bedfordshire Police has just 169 police officers per 100,000 population as against a national average figure of 232 and 388 in London.

Bedfordshire has the 4th highest level of gun crime per head, 5th highest level of burglary, robbery and vehicle crime, 7th highest level of knife crime, together with a high terror threat and organised crime problem.

Mr Martins added: “That’s why I am prepared to take desperate measures to avoid reducing our already anaemic police numbers. However, motorists staying within the speed limit – whether that is 70mph or less – will not be affected, only those breaking the law.

“In addition to the speed cameras option – I am also prepared to examine selling sponsorship of our police uniforms and vehicles.

“To those who say this is not the way they want things to go I say sign our petition calling on the Government to adequate funding for Bedfordshire Police. We have to make them listen.”

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