PUPILS of Llanishen Fach Primary handed out parking tickets and advice to parents as part of a road safety scheme launched by South Wales police.
The Junior Police Community Support Officer scheme gives year six pupils around Cardiff the opportunity to police traffic outside their school once a month to improve road safety and educate parents.
PCSO Steven Westgate, who manages the junior PCSOs in Llanishen Fach, Rhiwbina Primary and Birchgrove Primary, said: “We get a lot of issues with parking around schools and the scheme aims to improve this.
“It can be a bit embarrassing for parents to be told they’re parking badly by their children and we have found this to be very effective.”
Every year, pupils apply for the role by filling out a form asking what makes a good PCSO and why they would be suited to the role. Four pupils are chosen to police traffic outside each school by giving safety advice to parents – and even tickets for those parked dangerously.
Year six pupils from Llanishen Fach, which has been involved for three years, launched their scheme last week. William Thomas, 10, said: “To be a junior PCSO you need to have good people skills. You need to be able to reason with parents to make sure children are safe.”
Llanishen Fach’s junior PCSOs: William Thomas, 10, Amelia Harold, 10, Taylor Shipman, 11, and Kieran Graham, 10.
William advised parents: “Always pay attention to the safety rules and always be alert for children and old people.”
Parents of the children whose schools are involved receive an email explaining the scheme. PCSO Westgate, says: “Be mindful. Park sensibly and take consideration for the children’s’ safety.”
- More information on road safety in your area can be found here.
