Villagers use scarecrow policeman to slow traffic

Villagers in Cumbria have set up a scarecrow policeman after becoming fed up with speeding motorists.

The scarecrow is armed with a plastic bottle for a 'speed camera' and dressed in policeman's hat and black suit made to look like a uniform with a flourescent yellow jacket. The tactic has so far been a success in the village of Crosby-on-Eden, Cumbria.

Sandra McKeane, 43, who made the 'sleeping policeman', is worried there will be an accident if cars do not start slowing down. She said: "Speeding is quite a problem in the village. It has been amazing to see them all slowing down thinking it's a real policeman.



"We've lived here 15-years and there are more cars driving through faster than ever. We're worried there could be an accident - it's busy with the children."

David Sowden, another resident, added: "Certainly from a distance it looks like a genuine police officer.

"One visitor said it would be a good idea to keep that up for a week and then replace him with a proper physical police officer with a gun for another week and see what happens."