Cllr Tony Goldson(l) and cllr John Goldsmith present a cheque for the speedgun to Sgt Nigel Tompsett

Speeding motorists who put lives at risk in two north Suffolk towns and surrounding roads are being targeted by a new police speed gun.

Police in Southwold and Halesworth have been given the £1,966 laser speed gun to use in 30mph speed limit zones thanks to the strong support of local councillors.

The gun is being put to use in the Southwold and Halesworth areas after town and parish councils provided £800 and Suffolk County councillors John Goldsmith and Tony Goldson each gave £583 from their locality budgets for the device.

On Saturday the two councillors for Southwold and Halesworth presented a £1,166 cheque representing their contribution for the speed gun to Sgt Nigel Tompsett at Halesworth Library.

Sgt Tompsett, of the Southold and Halesworth safer neighbourhood team, had asked local councils and Mr Goldsmith and Goldson to fund the speed gun.

The head of the safer neighbourhood team had asked for the money as he realised he could not justify asking senior officers to fund the £1,966 gun for just one team, particularly in the light of budget cuts the force is facing.

Sgt Tompsett said: “I would like to thank all the councils and councillors involved in funding this device.

“I am pleased to say that it is being put to good use throughout my area and is part of our ongoing work to make our roads safer for all motorists, pedestrians and other road users.

“Speed is a contributory factor in many collisions and speed limits are in place for a reason.

“Parishioners are grateful for the protection a speed limit affords in their area, and many experience frustration and annoyance at the blatant disregard that some motorists display towards the limits.

“A serious injury collision is far less likely at lower speeds and limits are designed to ensure that vehicles are travelling at slower speeds in areas where there are likely to be more pedestrians.“

Mr Goldson, who represents the Halesworth division, said speeding motorists in London Road and Bramfield Road were “an accident waiting to happen” as they reached speeds of 50mph in the 30pmh zones.

His Southwold counterpart Mr Goldsmith said: “If drivers know the speed gun is being used and maybe just around the corner it should make them slow down.”