Fake camera did the job

8:50am Wednesday 7th June 2006

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IT may have only lasted a few days, but a fake speed camera which appeared mysteriously overnight in Curbridge certainly caused an impact.

No one seems to know whether it was the work of a concerned resident or prankster, but the dummy camera was so convincing that it fooled both drivers and some residents.

The giveaway, according to Curbridge and Lew Parish Council clerk, John Ackerman, was the 'slightly flimsy' post it was erected on and the fact that it was pointing in the wrong direction.

Otherwise, it looked like a real camera, with the familiar bright yellow colour, correct logo, and even a bike reflector, no doubt aimed at catching the sunlight and mimicking the flash of a real speed camera.

The camera appeared almost two weeks ago near the Lord Kitchener pub, on the outskirts of Curbridge Playing Fields. A few days later, it toppled over, and then disappeared by last Tuesday. Mr Ackerman, who lives in Curbridge, said: "It has certainly caused some smiles, and everyone has been talking about it. The thing is that it actually worked drivers were slowing down. But it was illegal, and the parish council had to report it to the highways authority, particularly as it was on parish council land.

"What has happened to it, nobody seems to know.

"Whoever made it certainly went to a lot of effort, so it will be interesting to see if it re-appears."

Mr Ackerman said there was a problem with cars travelling too fast through Curbridge, but the speed limit had been lowered, from 40mph to 30mph in the last three months, and the parish council was hoping this would have an effect.