POLICE are still holding out hope that a speed check scheme will work, despite only four people having signed up.

Motorists have been causing problems along a stretch of road in Epping where an accident recently left a car with its wheels up on a wall.

But the police's solution to the problem – recruiting volunteers to use hand held speed guns, has failed to make an impact along Bower Hill because not enough people have signed up to take part. .

Neighbourhood Specialist Officer for Epping Gary Harrington said he hoped more people would show an interest.

Speaking at a Neighbourhood Action Panel meeting he said: “Obviously I would like to get more people if I can. The main purpose is to get motorists thinking that if they are going round the corner and there could be someone there with a speed gun they might slow down.

"The police will be carrying out checks and I have been down there myself and have done 300 checks.”

But residents of Bower Hill said the police should scrap the idea and come up with something else.

Sophie O'Conner, 30 said: “I think speed bumps would work but it's no good the police getting someone else to do their work. They need to give up on that and think of something better.”

John Smith, 50 added: “For the police it's difficult to carry out checks because people see them at the bottom of the hill and slow down.

"I don't think their idea to use members of the public was ever going to be successful. The best solution would be for people to adopt a responsible attitude but I don't know how you can shame them into doing that.”

Raymond Bailes, 63 said: “It's nearly every car doing over 30mph. Sometimes they go down there at 70mph.

"If the police hide when they do the checks then it might work but not when they can be seen. They need to install a camera, it's the only way to solve the problem.

"I can understand why people don't want to sign up to use the speed guns because if a driver sees you catch them they might come back and put a brick through your window.”

A police spokeswoman said they were not planning to give up on the idea yet and added: “It has worked in other areas and we're not putting a time limit on it. We will see how many more people show an interest over the next weeks and months.

"We will still be carrying out our own speed checks along the road.”

Anyone interested in taking part in the scheme should contact PC Harrington on 07779317211.