Wiltshire Police have been mocked online after suggesting villagers build scarecrows resembling officers as a low-cost way to deter speeding drivers, prompting accusations that the force is failing to take road safety seriously. The idea, floated as an alternative to costly speed cameras or additional patrols, has drawn ridicule from residents and critics who argue it trivialises a genuine road safety issue and reflects wider pressure on police budgets and resources.

Critics have pointed out that scarecrows offer no real enforcement power and cannot issue fines or record vehicle speeds, questioning whether the scheme is a serious road safety measure or simply a cheap gimmick born of funding constraints. The proposal has fuelled broader debate about under-resourced policing and whether community-led, low-cost initiatives can meaningfully substitute for proper traffic enforcement in rural areas plagued by speeding complaints.