Speed camera boost could help fund struggling police

A zero-tolerance approach to speeding may be adopted in order to raise revenue for police forces facing government cuts, it has been suggested.

The radical proposal was made by Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Olly Martins, who warned that he was "running out of levers to pull" to keep his force financially viable.

"Strict enforcement of the speed limit could raise £1m, and to me that's better than losing 25 more police officers," he told the Home Affairs Select Committee.

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Martins pointed to the fact that Bedfordshire has just 169 police officers per 100,000 population compared to a national average of 232 – despite having the fourth highest level of gun crime per head.

"That's why I am prepared to take desperate measures to avoid reducing our already anaemic police numbers," he said.

Unless additional government funding is found, Martins warned that he would have to use his powers to permanently turn on speed cameras on the M1 motorway, the BBC reports. He said he would also consider allowing companies like Easyjet to sponsor squad cars and uniforms.

His comments have been condemned by motoring organisations and lobby groups. They warn that a driver doing 71mph in a 70mph zone could be fined £100 with no discretion, Sky News reports.

"We are appalled by it. It ruins the tolerance and the proportion of the enforcement, therefore increasing the rift between the police and the public," said Speed Safe founder Claire Armstrong.

The Alliance of British Drivers has called Olly Martins's comments "utterly obnoxious" and says they are "completely contrary" to road safety.

"These cameras are alleged to make roads safer, they are not to make money for the police or government or anyone and to suggest that it is... I'm lost for words," said Hugh Bladon.