By Julian Whittle

Last updated at 12:11, Wednesday, 17 September 2008

School lollipop men and women may be given spy cameras to catch drivers who put children at risk.

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Cumbria County Council wants to use lollipop sticks with built-in cameras to photograph cars that fail to stop at crossings.

The images would be handed to the police and used as evidence in court.

The idea will be discussed at a council meeting on Friday. Officers say they struggle to fill the number of posts for lollipop men and women in Cumbria – around a third are currently vacant – and believe safety may be a factor.

A council report explains: “Continued advances in camera technology have created the opportunity to improve the safety of crossers on site.

“Due to legal restrictions the use of headcams, which are used by some police forces, is not an option.

“There is, however, a company that manufactures crossing sticks with built-in cameras. One disadvantage is that the stick is heavier and can sustain damage if dropped. The main advantage is that, unlike headcams, the camera sticks comply with surveillance legislation.”

The hi-tech poles were launched in January by Oxfordshire firm Routesafe.

They are used with local authorities including Kirklees in Yorkshire.

The sticks look identical to standard poles but weigh around a third more and cost £890 instead of £250.

Officials want to improve the working conditions and safety of crossing-patrol staff to encourage recruits.

Cumbria should have 91 lollipop men and women but 35 posts are vacant.

Barrow county councillor Kevin Hamilton has volunteered to work as a lollipop man for a day as a publicity exercise to aid recruitment.

And the council is planning a safety campaign to make drivers aware they will be prosecuted if they ignore school crossing patrols.

A lollipop sign has the same legal power as a red light. Ignoring one can result in a £1,000 fine and three penalty points.

More than 1,400 lollipop-rage incidents were reported across the country last year and dozens of lollipop staff have been hospitalised after being hit by drivers.

Cumbria County Council says verbal abuse from drivers is “a common occurrence”.

John Dutton, 64, is a lollipop man at Warwick Bridge Primary School.

He doubts that spy cameras are needed.

“I think it’s overkill,” he said. “I have chalk in my pocket to write down the number vehicles that break the law but it is so rare.

“In four years it has happened less than 10 times. Generally drivers are patient.”

Mr Dutton believes low pay and split shifts, rather than aggressive motorists, put off would-be recruits

He added: “The hours don’t really suit people.

“I only get paid for one hour and 10 minutes a day.

“It fits in with a cleaning job I do at the school but if I didn’t have that I probably wouldn’t do the crossing patrol.

“It doesn’t pay tremendously well either [£6.08 an hour]. In Lancashire I think they’re paying £8 because they couldn’t get anyone.”

The council says the job will appeal to “community-minded people who are interested in helping others and working with the public”.

All applicants have to undergo health and criminal records checks.

To find out about vacancies, call 01228 607607.

The report will be discussed by the county council’s Carlisle local committee on Friday but no decision will be made until it reaches the cabinet on October 7.

The following schools need crossing-patrol staff: Broughton Moor; Brough; Carlisle – Belle Vue, Bishop Harvey Goodwin, Brook Street, Caldew Lea, Kingmoor Junior, St Margaret Mary RC, Stanwix; Temple Sowerby; Whitehaven – Valley Junior and St Mary’s RC; Workington – Ashfield Infant, Ashfield Junior, St Michael’s Infant and Victoria Infant.

JWhittle@cngroup.co.uk

First published at 11:50, Wednesday, 17 September 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk