Families Campaign to Save School Crossing Patrol Officers Amid Council Cutbacks

Families across the UK are actively campaigning to prevent the decline in school crossing patrol officers, commonly known as lollipop men and women, due to council cutbacks. They argue that these roles are crucial in ensuring the safety of children on the roads, especially in light of recent police data revealing a concerning increase in pedestrian fatalities.

New police data released in June 2024 reported that 413 pedestrians lost their lives in road accidents, marking a 2% increase compared to the previous year. Shockingly, a quarter of all road-related deaths were pedestrians, with individuals aged 16 years and under accounting for 4% of these fatalities and 10% of those injured.

Despite the alarming statistics, school crossing patrols have faced significant reductions over the past decade, with numbers halving in the past 10 years. Supporters of these patrols emphasize that they play a vital role in enhancing road safety for children.

Croydon Council recently made the decision to eliminate its lollipop patrollers, leaving schools without these essential safety measures by the end of the current term. Concerned parents from the affected schools expressed their worries about the impact of this decision on their children’s safety.

One parent stated, “The presence of lollipop men and women is essential for ensuring the future safety of our children.” In response, a spokesperson from Croydon Council mentioned that most patrols were phased out years ago and that risk assessments would lead to the establishment of a new permanent crossing at one site and temporary crossings at three others.

Meanwhile, parents from various regions in the UK have launched campaigns to reinstate crossing officers at their children’s schools. In Scotland, the community around Dalbeattie High School near Dumfries is rallying to save the crossing officer who serves the school, nursery, and primary school in the vicinity.

Diana Finnigan, a concerned grandparent whose grandson attends the primary school, initiated an online petition that has garnered 500 signatures so far. She highlighted the dangers that children face on the roads outside the school and criticized the council’s decision to withdraw crossing staff.

Expressing her concerns, Finnigan said, “Local councillors suggest that children use the light-controlled crossings, but not every child, especially young ones, will adhere to these signals. Some may disregard the lights and dash across the road, putting their lives at risk. I’ve witnessed cars even ignoring the traffic lights.”

A spokesperson from Dumfries and Galloway Council confirmed the council’s plan to remove crossing patrol officers from the school. He mentioned that elected council members opted to eliminate crossing patrol staff at automated crossings and that the council would inform parents and caregivers about these changes.