POLICE in Poole have been cracking down on speeding on roads outside schools as part of a recent operation.

Over the last few weeks, officers from Poole Neighbourhood Policing Team and the camera team have been carrying out regular speed checks across the town.

Fourteen motorists were caught exceeding the 30mph limit in just a couple of hours on Constitution Hill Road where Ocean Academy is located. All the drivers caught were given speeding tickets.

Police have also been targeting motorists on Lilliput Road, near Lilliput Church of England Infant School, and Springdale Road, near Springdale First School, as well as a number of other locations.

One driver was recorded speeding at 44mph in a 30mph area, according to Poole Neighbourhood Inspector Adrian Thompson.

“At this speed, this will do serious injury to a young primary school student should they step into the road,” he said.

“We are regularly told by members of the public about motorists travelling far too fast, particularly around residential areas and schools.

“We are committed to improving road safety and, in particular, ensuring children have a safe environment in which to make their way to school.

“The aim is to change drivers’ attitudes through education as well as enforcement.”

He added: “While the operation will take place over the next few weeks in Poole, our Roads Policing Team operate seven days a week and will continue to respond to community concerns and target collision locations.”

At the end of the second week of the operation, officers recorded a 70 per cent reduction in motorists being caught speeding on Constitution Hill Road.

Poole residents have been reporting roads where speeding is a concern since Poole police posted about the operation on their Facebook page.

One person said drivers were exceeding the 20mph speed limit on Sylvan Road outside the infant school, while another resident commented Wareham Road, outside Lytchett Matravers Primary School, was a “disaster waiting to happen”.

Dorchester Road in Oakdale “is like a racetrack” after school pick-up time, another commenter said.

And Sherborn Crescent in Canford Heath is still a concern for locals, despite another zebra crossing being installed recently by the council.

Any members of the public who have suggestions for locations police should monitor can get in touch by emailing 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk.