POLICE speed patrols have become more challenging in Argyll and Bute due to a limited number of officers, the area’s chief has said.

Chief Superintendent Gary I’Anson said that a “huge” amount of work was taking place in the battle against speeding motorists.

But he admitted it was getting “even more challenging” to target areas causing concern after the matter was raised at a council committee meeting.

One of his colleagues also said that the further use of speed cameras in Argyll and Bute would be “evidence based”.

The discussion took place at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s community services committee on Thursday, August 22.

Councillor Graham Hardie (Liberal Democrat, Helensburgh Central) said: “Speed is a big issue in Argyll and Bute, especially in some of our town centres. What is your policy on that?

“You also see traffic police out with speed cameras and they then disappear for six months – what is happening?”

Chief Superintendent I’Anson responded: “Unfortunately that is the harsh reality. Speeding is a priority, particularly in Argyll and Bute, and I know there is a huge amount of work for the prevention.

“The harsh reality is with the reduction in road policing, which featured last year in the media, and we are now feeling it a bit in the sense that there is not as much road policing coverage.

“They are working really hard, but there would be gaps in the coverage you see, which is not for a lack of willingness or want.

“They are trying to make the best use of the finite number of officers and are, in a sense, targeting the right areas from a figures point of view.

“It is even more challenging to target areas causing concern. In the past we have maybe been able to address local concerns with a more visible presence.”

Councillor Hardie then added: “Could there be more use of speed cameras? We have one in Cardross which has been very successful.”

Superintendent John Harris said: “We ultimately are very data-led in enforcement activity. We work alongside the safety unit which uses not only cameras, but vans.

“We look for where there are hot spots where speeding has been a consideration, and we will enforce those areas.

“If we see injuries in other areas, we would consider cameras there, but everything we do is evidence-based.”

Councillor William Sinclair (Liberal Democrat, Cowal) had recently called for the use of speed cameras during a meeting of the council’s Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group.

He said at that meeting: “As far as I am concerned, if people continue to break the law on speeding, and continue to increase insurance premiums, I am more than happy to look at speed cameras.

“If that is the only way to resolve these issues, let’s do it. I agree the police have resource problems, so let’s look at that and maybe we will save some lives.

“We should look at the money getting spent on Loch Lomond, getting spent on some of our roads.”