"Lollipop officers in Suffolk will now wear bodycameras after multiple incidents of abuse from motorists. The county council have rolled out the new policy to staff on all 55 school crossing patrols. Incidents have included an officer being verbally abused by a teenage cyclist in Ipswich after asking him to dismount from his bike, as well as another officer being hurled with abuse from a vehicle after it was stopped to allow children to cross the road safely."
"A trial of a small number of body-worn cameras has resulted in successful prosecutions of those abusing lollipop staff. Although mostly associated with helping children cross the road safely, lollipop officers also have the legal authority to stop traffic for any pedestrian. Motorists who fail to stop when signalled by a school crossing patrol risk a fine of up to 1,000 and incur three penalty points."
Suffolk County Council has implemented body cameras for all 55 school crossing patrol officers following multiple incidents of abuse from motorists. Lollipop officers have experienced verbal abuse, spitting, and harassment while performing their duties of helping children cross roads safely. A trial of body-worn cameras proved effective in securing prosecutions against abusers. School crossing patrol officers possess legal authority to stop traffic for pedestrians, and motorists who fail to comply face fines up to £1,000, three penalty points, and potential driving bans in serious cases.
Read at www.independent.co.uk
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