The first motorist to be fined for speeding in Oxford was Harold Orloff Combe, who was caught in a primitive speed trap in Botley Road in 1910.

After PC Hilton measured a 200-yard stretch of road, Det Sgt Wassell stood at one end and as each car passed, he waved his hand to Insp Trinder at the other end, who clicked his stopwatch.

The unfortunate Mr Combe covered the distance in 22 seconds, which Insp Trinder reckoned was the equivalent of 20mph.

Mr Combe, who told magistrates he was unaware of any speed limit, was fined £1 with six shillings costs. The city council had passed a bylaw earlier in the year imposing a 10mph speed limit in parts of the city.