A CAMPAIGN group has called for a full audit of the UK's speed cameras after a Norfolk police force chief called for a report to be carried out on the county's cameras.

Norfolk chief constable Andy Hayman has called for the study after criticising the Norfolk Casualty Reduction Partnership for losing accident data and not properly monitoring cameras.

Last week, Barry Parnell stepped down as manager of the partnership although he stressed it was for personal reasons and not because he was expected to be criticised in the report.

Campaign group Safe Speed has now called into question the management of the UK speed cameras and has called for them to be suspended while this is carried out.

Safe Speed founder Paul Smith said: 'We must suspend all speed camera operations pending a complete audit, the way they are operated and their effects on road safety.

'If the rules were flouted in Norfolk, and it took an investigation by the chief constable to find out, how can we have any confidence that other areas have their cameras properly administer and installed according to the guidelines?

'Vital public confidence in the system has been well and truly lost.'

Last month, Fleet News launched its Speed Wise campaign highlighting the issues surrounding speed cameras.

Issues covered so far include the fact the Government wants to ban electronic 'guardian angels' that warn drivers of approaching cameras and traps and the fact that a survey of 700 drivers found that 58% view speed cameras as a risk to road safety.

They say that drivers are always looking out for the next camera and change their speed erratically near camera sites.

The survey carried out by motor insurance company First Alternative found that drivers' negative perceptions of speed cameras could be changed if there were fairer penalties for speeders.