Speed watch volunteers shouted at a driver as he passed their village, claiming that he made them feel like criminals.
Phil Dewhurst (44) insists that the speed limit was 30 mph when he drove through Longburton (near Sherborne) in Dorset on November 4. He was then stopped.
The three pensioners, wearing high-vis jackets, and equipped with speed guns and clip boards, demanded that the man stop. He was then said to slow down and go at 39 mph.
Mr Dewhurst, a professional musician, claims He said that speed watchers made a threatening call to him. They then subjected him allegedly to a 10 minute tirade.
According to Mr Dewhurst of Sherborne, “They were so angry I had to make an effort to speak to them.” “They were hostile and aggressive with me right away and they talked over and above me.
One of them even suggested that his Volvo estate car might have been taken.
Phil Dewhurst, 40 years old, filed a complaint to the community speed watch volunteer volunteers who he claimed leaned in his car and shouted at.
“I stated that I was confident in my ability to maintain my speed because I depend on my driving license for my work, so I suggested maybe they might have to calibrate their gun.
“The reply I received was nearly like that of a child who had been slapped in the face by their headmistress.
It was unprofessional and completely unnecessary. It felt as if I was being bullied.
Dewhurst said he had asked Mr Dewhurst if the speed gun had been calibrated correctly as he knows the road well, and was certain he didn’t speed.
The photo was taken by Mr Dewhurst and shows the woman in a bespectacled top hat. She is seen looking into the window, prodding at a clipboard.
His photo shows a tall, bespectacled woman wearing a top hat and leaning in the car windows prodding him for a clipboard.
On either side, you can see two white-haired males.
Dewhurst said, “There was a speed change at the top, just before you descend into the village to a 30mph. This I have driven hundreds of, perhaps even thousands of times.
“I slowed to 30 and drove through the village, and the speedwatch was at the left.
“One of the men pointed a gun at my face and started shouting at it. They called my number, shouted at me and said “you’re doing 39 mph!”
“I found that a little strange, so I stopped to reverse the order and had a conversation with them. While I was able to understand their purpose, it wasn’t fair for me to be shouting at people or publicly shame them.
It was about a 10 minute long tirade that made me feel guilty. One of the men said, “How do we make sure this car hasn’t been stolen?”
“They did not give me names or show any credentials. They told me that they work for the police.
“I am a competent and skilled driver, but having someone shout at me from the side would cause me to lose my concentration. It was unnecessary.
Mr Dewhurst said one of the group ‘bellowed’ out his registration number and then added: ‘you are doing 39mph, slow down!’
It happened as Dewhurst was driving with his stepson through Longburton village, near his Dorset home, Sherborne.
The speed limit outside Longburton is set at 40 miles per hour but then reduces to 30mph at the top of a hill just before entering the village
According to Mr Dewhurst, his stepson felt distressed because he isn’t able to handle confrontation well.
He said: “From the information I’ve gathered from those who have talked to me about community speed watches, it appears that they receive basic training from police… Although I can understand the intent of these watches and will support them if they are done well, aggression seems unnecessary to me.
Dorset Police spokeswoman stated that Longburton’s community speed team was just formed and trained by a local police officer.
“They’ve reported it to us via the correct channels. The group co-ordinator is going to speak to them further to learn more about what happened.
“We are unable comment further at the moment.”
They added that the Community Speed Watch program was the community’s response. It serves two purposes: to deter speeding and to teach motorists how to drive safely within limits.
To do this, advisor letters are sent out to those who have exceeded the limit. Dorset Police are notified of the vehicle and speed details. These details help to identify vehicles registered keeper information and arrange for advisory mails to be sent.
“The CSW volunteers do not have any access to the personal information of registered drivers or keeper.
“Community speed watch groups” are local residents that are worried about speeding in their community and wish to take action.
“Working alongside residents, Dorset Police provides all the necessary training and equipment, including a radar speed detector. This will enable teams to perform their own monitoring as well helping them to find safe sites.
“Teams can decide on which roads to monitor, but the sites should first be assessed for risk by an officer from Dorset Police in order to ensure safety.