Association of Chief Police Officers spokesman Geoffrey Markham, who is assistant chief constable of the Essex force, said on Wednesday (January 22) that film had been taken out of some cameras and the speed limit in some others had been set so high that they would rarely be triggered. There had also been instances of no action being taken against speeding drivers who were photographed by the cameras.

The police are calling for a percentage of fixed penalty payments, which at present goes straight to the Treasury, to be given back to police forces and local authorities to help fund the cameras.