Volunteers trying to tackle speeding drivers are being abused by angry motorists.

On Saturday morning one driver took a photograph of a volunteer and told him he would send someone back later to “sort him out”.

The helpers – who are working on behalf of Sussex Police – do not have the ability to impose fines.

If they catch someone speeding in Seaford they note down the details of the vehicle, pass it on to the force and officers then send an advisory letter.

Sergeant Stuart Mullins, of Sussex Police, said other volunteers – a number of whom are retired – have been subjected to rude hand gestures and abuse.

He said: “People are out all over the town – but they are helping the community.

“They are not just there off their own back, they are supported by the police.

“We don’t know what the drivers’ beef is.”

‘Getting silly’

He said some motorists were actually slowing down to abuse the motorists and confirmed officers were investigating Saturday’s report of threatening behaviour in Marine Parade.

He continued: “It is getting silly. These are not just random people with a speed gun.

“Community Speedwatch is a nationwide police-run initiative which uses local volunteers to highlight speeding problems and promote safer driving.

“The point is to help remind people what the speed limits are, show them how easy it is to be caught speeding and hopefully encourage safer driving in the future.

“While the Seaford team has been running for some time it has recently been relaunched by local Police Community Support Officer Noel Daniels, which has seen an increase in the number of checks being carried out and an increase in the number of motorists being recorded driving over the speed limit.”

The volunteers are all local residents. They set up speed monitoring equipment at locations across the town and measure how fast people are going.

They usually go out for about an hour at a time up to four times a week.