Police and 11yr old team up against speeding drivers

NPC Jason Kemp joined Rowan Becker, a year seven pupil at Bexhill High, at his house in Peartree Lane for a talk about road safety and a session using the traffic radar gun.

Four vehicles were stopped in the 45 minute slot.

Rowan said: "It was really good. We pulled them over and they got out the car. PC Kemp did the talking.

"When he introduced me to them I think they became a bit more understanding and seemed ready to obey the speed limits a bit more, because I'm there."

The errant motorists received warnings, rather than tickets.

Rowan's campaign began about three weeks ago, when the family pet Dori, became their third cat to be run over.

Upset by the loss of a much-loved friend, Rowan and his family began the Peartree Lane Slow Down Campaign. Rowan wrote to the Observer (published on Friday, September 11) saying: "I see about 12 people speeding on our road every day which makes it a dangerous place for pets, elderly people and children.

"People just ignore signs now. We need more than that - we need things like speed bumps and speed cameras."

NPC Kemp contacted the family after reading the letter, and advised Rowan the best way to begin his campaign might be through postering and flyering, which the 11yr old is now working on with schoolfriends.

The pair planned also planned further traffic patrols.

Rowan said: "The road has lots of people speeding and it's quite a dangerous place to walk to school. You have to cross the road to get to school. It doesn't feel safe."

Clare Becker, Rowan's mother, said: "PC Jason Kemp was brilliant with Rowan, kind and understanding, and he wants Rowan to come out with him again.

"I think he feels that it drums the message home.

"At the clinic that the police hold on a regular basis, the most comon complaint is speeding in Peartree Lane. It's a favourite with groups of people who want to try out their cars at great speed. We hear them zoooming up and down in the small hours.

"Lots of parents up the road won't let the children walk to school. And they're vulnerable cycling too. There's lots of bends in Peartree Lane."

"I'm very proud of Rowan. He genuinely is very interested. It's all a consequence of his devotion to our cats."