SPEEDING offences detected by West Mercia Police have risen by more than 40 per cent over the past three years, new figures show.
The data reveals that 116,717 offences were detected in 2023, rising to 137,611 in 2024 before rocketing to 166,181 last year.
The 42 per cent rise has coincided with the arrival of TruCam II technology in Worcestershire and new enforcement sites and processing systems.
The majority of offences in each year resulted in drivers being offered speed awareness courses, with more than 147,000 being given the option in 2025.
Around half of those who were offered courses completed them, while tens of thousands of drivers were instead issued with conditional fixed penalties or referred to court.
There was a huge rise in the number of drivers who were found to be ineligible for speed awareness courses because they had previously attended one.
The figure rose from 8,519 to 29,878 over the same three-year period.
The new cameras are portable and use laser and video to catch offenders (Image: West Mercia Police)
What difference are new cameras making?
In February 2025, West Mercia Police announced new technology to combat speeding after 22 people were killed on the roads in Worcestershire in the three years to that point.
Another 138 people suffered serious injuries, according to the force.
Policing teams across Worcestershire were issued with TruCam II enforcement cameras following funding by the Police & Crime Commissioner.
Using laser and video, the devices can be used in handheld or tripod mode, allowing greater flexibility about where the technology can be used.
Offences can also be captured and processed much more quickly compared with older devices.
Worcestershire has the largest number of fixed speed cameras managed by West Mercia Police (Image: Getty Images)
How many fixed cameras are there?
Worcestershire has the highest number of fixed cameras, according to separate data published by police.
Eighteen units cover sites including the M5 between junctions 4a and 6, a number of busy 30mph roads and the A449 between Crossway Green and Ombersley.
There is one fixed camera in Herefordshire, four in Shropshire and four in Telford & Wrekin managed by West Mercia Police.
Here is where all the fixed speed cameras are in Worcester and Worcestershire
This is how many drivers were caught speeding on A449 by new speed cameras
Reminder of new speed cameras as hundreds already caught
A spokesperson for the force said: “Our enforcement sites and collision figures are regularly monitored to ensure we are enforcing at those areas that need us most.
“Our ultimate aim is to reduce the number of collisions that happen where speeding is a contributory factor so our enforcement sites regularly change to reflect this.
“The increase is partly down to new sites coming on board, new speed enforcement technology being rolled out and also more efficient processing systems being introduced.”
