Police deploy cardboard cut-outs on country roads to deter speeding drivers

Two life-sized cut-outs will be placed on Shropshire roads

A police force has started using cardboard cut-outs of officers holding speed guns in a unusual attempt to deter car crime and speeding drivers. West Mercia Police has unveiled the pop-up cop named 'Bob', who comes complete with high-vis clothing and a handheld speed camera. Two of the life-sized cut-outs will be placed by the roadside in Shropshire along stretches which have been reported for having high levels of speeding motorists. The bizarre concept is already being used in Scotland but it is believed to be the first time an English police force has implemented the idea. The move has received a mixed response from local residents with some welcoming any measure to clamp down on speeding while others have branded it a 'lazy gimmick'. Police forces north of the border have already faced criticism for spending thousands on the same cardboard cops as it is argued there is no proof they slow traffic. [caption id="attachment_354676" align="alignnone" width="1512"] SWNS[/caption] But West Merica Police say they will be used alongside high-visibility patrols and existing speed enforcement measures rather than instead of them. Sergeant Damien Kelly, who is managing the trial, said: “Keeping communities safe is one of our organisational priorities and pop up cops are simply an additional tool we can use alongside our partners to respond to community concerns about speeding. “The idea initially came from one of our own officers who saw a pop up cop being used in Scotland while he was on holiday. "At first glance, Bob does make you check your speed which is a positive reminder about road safety in itself. "We appreciate that motorists will quickly realise that Bob is a cut-out, which is why we will be using him smartly and efficiently alongside other speed prevention activity. “We hope that the use of Bob, as well as our regular speed enforcement activity, will encourage drivers travelling in South Shropshire to change their behaviour and drive at a lower, safer speed. "This will help to improve the quality of life for people living in the area and improve the safety of the road for all those who use them.” [caption id="attachment_354677" align="alignnone" width="640"] SWNS[/caption] The first of the two 'Bobs' - which are understood to cost between £150 and £223 each- was launched last week on the B4368 in Munslow, Shrops. Two-dimensional officers are already used on buses and in shopping centres but this is believed to be first time they have been used to tackle speeding in England. Local resident Brian Buttleworth, from Bridgnorth, Shrops., said: "I can't see how this will work, you can see clearly it's just a cardboard cut-out. "This is just a lazy gimmick as a way to cut policing costs to avoid having bobbies out there on the streets." Jill Chambers, of Craven Arms, Shrops, added: "They should be investing in recruiting real police officers - not cut-out versions. I think it's a joke. "It might work to start with but as soon as people realise they aren't real they are going to carry on speeding past them." But Neil Carr disagreed and added: "Anything that can help reduce speeding on our roads is a good idea and this is a cheap and effective deterrent."

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