RESIDENTS are being given the chance to fight back against speeding motorists in their communities.

A new scheme in south Wirral will give locals the chance to work with police and council chiefs to tackle crime and cut the number of speeding drivers.

So far 12 people have signed up for Project Rural Matters. The Community Action Team, backed by police and Ellesmere Port and Neston Council, has set up the project to try to bring the police and community together in the fight against crime.

A high visibility people carrier will be used to help Neston residents support the police in the area, by going to community events to highlight crime prevention and the work of the police.

Of the community volunteers from in and around Neston who have signed up to the scheme so far, 11 have passed a driving assessment to use the vehicle.

Nine of the 12 have also been trained to use a mobile speed indicator display which flashes the speed at which drivers are travelling as they pass the unit.

The indicator attaches to the people carrier and can be used on roads the volunteers believe have a problem with vehicles travelling too fast.

A Cheshire Police spokeswoman said: "Members of the public who volunteer to become Community Safety Volunteers form an important part of the initiative team, joining police officers on patrols, conducting speed monitoring exercises and promoting crime awareness and safety at events.

"With the speed indicator, if the volunteers identify a section of road they think people go too fast along, they can use this piece of equipment."

Community Action Team member Sgt Nigel Reid said: "The initiative is all about the public helping to police their own community and reassuring the public that we are here to help."