POLICE are calling for volunteers to help tackle anti-social driving and make roads safer.

The Eastbourne Neighbourhood Policing Team said speeding and anti-social driving is having a big impact on the community, and is working with residents to address the issue.

The force expects the problem to increase as lockdown is eased this summer.

Sussex Police and Eastbourne Community Safety Partnership are now calling for volunteers to help increase the number of Community Speedwatch schemes across the town, which they say is crucial to road safety.

Chief Inspector Di Lewis, district commander for Eastbourne, said: “Anti-social driving is having a significant impact on some of our residents and we are working hard to try and deal with those having the most impact.

"As we come out of lockdown and into the summer months, we anticipate this may increase.

“To support this, we are looking for volunteers to become involved in Community Speedwatch and work with us to tackle this problem.

“We actively support volunteers in Sussex Police and this involvement will play a significant role in supporting policing in Eastbourne.

"If you feel you can make a difference and offer your time, please get in touch.”

Community Speedwatch (CSW) is a national initiative where, in partnership with the police, members of the public use detection devices to monitor vehicle speeds.

The volunteers report drivers exceeding the speed limit to the police and if the data proves a driver is ignoring repeated warnings, police can prosecute them.

The aim is to reduce death and injury on the roads, improve the quality of life for communities, reduce the speed of vehicles to the speed limit and to increase public awareness of inappropriate speed.

All volunteers receive training, and neighbourhood policing team staff will support them.

Eastbourne Community Safety Partnership has recently agreed funding for equipment to be used and deployed by Community Speedwatch schemes in Eastbourne, allowing police and communities to make a difference and build on the work already in place.

Since January, police have seized 22 vehicles for having no insurance, and reported scores of others for a variety of offences, ranging from speeding and no MOT, to Section 59 warnings for the manner of driving.

Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 allows an officer in uniform to seize and remove a vehicle that has been used in a "careless and inconsiderate" manner.

Other drivers have been arrested for drink or drug driving offences and possession or supply of controlled drugs.

In April, approximately 50 motorcyclists were seen travelling from Hastings towards Eastbourne on the A259.

They were followed to Beachy Head, where officers engaged with them, and they then continued onto the A22 through Polegate, where numerous offences were identified and are now currently being dealt with.

A spokesman for Sussex Police added: "As a community, we are committed to reducing casualties on the roads and making them a safer place for all road users.

"We need your help to support the continued targeted activities and save lives on our roads."

To register your interest or for more information, visit the Community Speedwatch website at www.communityspeedwatch.org.