PINT-SIZED police officers have been helping to lay down the law at a school parking blackspot.
Residents around Fixby Junior School on Lightridge Road say the situation is so bad they regularly witness angry confrontations between homeowners and parents who flout the no stopping zig zags.
Police considered naming and shaming parents – but now hope some familiar faces in uniform will make them park more carefully.
A team of the school’s Year Six pupils have taken their clipboards in hand to become junior community support officers with the power to remind mums and dads that safety comes first when it comes to collecting and dropping off their children.
Harry Woodhouse, 11, said: “We’re patrolling the streets and looking for anyone on the zig zags or parking on people’s drives.
“We’ve been able to keep in contact using the police radios but just around the school area.
“We’ve also been given some tickets to hand to people, but they’ve just got advice on them.”
Farris Fenton, 11, is also a school councillor alongside Harry.
He said: “There are obstructions when people park on the road and it’s dangerous.
“Someone with a pram may not see a car coming and there could be a serious accident.
“We’ve been up and down the road and we’re waiting for cars to come, we’ll be talking to the neighbours as well.”
Pc Elaine Burke, of the Huddersfield North Neighbourhood Policing Team, has been working on resolving the problems.
She said: “Because of the height of the pupils, their view of the road can be obstructed by illegally parked cars.
“Equally, drivers may not be able to spot the children between vehicles.
“It is crucial that we work with the pupils and get the message across.
“The project has been formulated in response to concerns from local residents and parents about irresponsible drivers who have caused gridlocks in the area during the school run.
“In particular, children have been dropped off at school gates and vehicles have been seen blocking residents’ drives.
“The children will be working closely alongside PCSOs Adele Davies, Jeff Marsden and Morgan Cockcroft to patrol the local streets and will engage with residents and parents who are picking children up from the school.
“Our ‘Junior’ PCSOs will not hesitate in issuing offending drivers with specially designed tickets requesting them to park safely. Zig Zag lines are there for a purpose – to provide a clear area for children to cross safely. I am confident this event will highlight this to drivers.”
Headteacher Jenny Chamberlain said: “Car parking around schools is an issue not only in Kirklees but all over the country, and we have been taking strong and positive action to tackle the problem in Fixby.
“We fully understand that many parents need to bring children in the car, but when that’s the case we are encouraging people to park further away. We have been grateful for the support of the police and road safety unit.”
