Police blasted for ‘lazy gimmick’ as they pay £150 for ‘pop up cop’ CARDBOARD traffic officer called ‘Bob’ to place by road in bid to deter speeding drivers

• West Mercia Police are using cardboard cut-out cops to combat traffic crimes
• Residents criticised the £150 move, calling it a ‘joke’ and ‘lazy gimmick’ 
• They feel the force should invest in ‘recruiting real police officers,’ not cut-outs
• Two-dimensional officers have been used on buses and in shopping centres
• Believed to be first time cardboard cut-outs used to tackle speeding in England

A police force has been blasted after it deployed a cardboard roadside pop-up cop that officers hope will deter car crime and speeding drivers, with locals calling it a ‘lazy gimmick’ and a ‘joke’. 

West Mercia Police unveiled its two cardboard cut-out officers, both called Bob, last week. They come complete with high-vis clothing and brandish a handheld speed camera.

Residents say the new cut-outs, which are said to cost between £150 and £223 each, are the department’s poor attempt to ‘avoid having bobbies out there on the streets.’

Others argue police should be ‘investing in recruiting real police officers’ instead of cut-out ‘joke’ cops.

However, the force argues that at ‘first glance’ the cut-out ‘Bobs’ will make drivers check their speed and correct bad motoring behaviours.  

West Mercia Police were blasted for their ‘lazy gimmick’ of roadside pop-up cops that officials hope will deter car crime and speeding drivers

The force unveiled its two cardboard cut-out officers, both called Bob, last week. They come complete with high-vis clothing and a handheld speed camera

West Merica Police intend to use the cut-outs alongside high-visibility patrols and existing speed enforcement measures instead of placing officers at those locations.

The ‘Bobs’ will be placed by the roadside in Shropshire along stretches which have been reported for having high levels of speeding motorists.

The first of the two cut-outs were launched last week on the B4368 in Munslow, Shrops. 

‘This is just a lazy gimmick as a way to cut policing costs to avoid having bobbies out there on the streets,’ said resident Brian Buttleworth, from Bridgnorth, Shrops.

‘I can’t see how this will work, you can see clearly it’s just a cardboard cut-out.’

‘They should be investing in recruiting real police officers – not cut-out versions. I think it’s a joke,’ added Jill Chambers, of Craven Arms, Shrops.

 ‘It might work to start with but as soon as people realise they aren’t real they are going to carry on speeding past them.’

But Neil Carr disagreed and added: ‘Anything that can help reduce speeding on our roads is a good idea and this is a cheap and effective deterrent.’

West Merica Police intend to use the cut-outs alongside high-visibility patrols and existing speed enforcement measures instead of placing officers at those locations

Two-dimensional officers have already been used on buses and in shopping centres but this is believed to be first time they have been used to tackle speeding in England.

The bizarre concept is already being used in Scotland but it is believed to be the first time an English police force has implemented the idea.

Police forces north of the border have already faced criticism for spending thousands on the same cardboard cops as it is argued there is no proof they slow traffic.

Sergeant Damien Kelly, who is managing the trial in Shropshire, said: ‘Keeping communities safe is one of our organisational priorities and pop up cops are simply an additional tool we can use alongside our partners to respond to community concerns about speeding.

‘The idea initially came from one of our own officers who saw a pop up cop being used in Scotland while he was on holiday.

‘At first glance, Bob does make you check your speed which is a positive reminder about road safety in itself.

‘We appreciate that motorists will quickly realise that Bob is a cut-out, which is why we will be using him smartly and efficiently alongside other speed prevention activity.

‘We hope that the use of Bob, as well as our regular speed enforcement activity, will encourage drivers travelling in South Shropshire to change their behaviour and drive at a lower, safer speed.

‘This will help to improve the quality of life for people living in the area and improve the safety of the road for all those who use them.’

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