Lollipop men and women are being abused by drivers in Bucks.
Reports of aggression and abuse towards lollipop men and women have increased in 2019 - with 12 incidents in December alone, prompting a new campaign to help protect them.
Launching ‘Respect Me’, Bucks County Council’s school crossing patrollers team say it’s time to raise awareness about the issues sometimes faced by lollipop men and women and to highlight the importance of their role in the community.
The ‘Respect Me’ project, which will see patrollers wearing new orange tabards bearing the slogan, focuses on the rise in incidents over the past year as well as urging residents to support their local patroller by reporting anything they witness.
Currently, there are 60 patrollers devoting their time morning and afternoon to helping children safely reach school as well as assisting adults across the road.
Bucks’ school crossing patrollers have become valuable members of their communities over the years - with the longest serving lollipop woman Christine Walker crossing pedestrians for 42 years and 91-year-old lollipop man Gilly Fryer who is well-loved by the pupils he helps.
The team is also on the lookout for more permanent patrollers as well as relief patrollers who can be available at short notice to stand in if someone is unable to work.
County council deputy leader and cabinet member for transport Mark Shaw said of the campaign: “It’s important to not only raise the awareness about the fantastic work done by our school crossing patrollers, but also talk about the difficulties they face.
"Any case of abuse or aggression is one too many in my book, so I’m firmly behind the new campaign.
“We hope that communities will continue to support their local patroller and that more people will want to help ensure everyone crosses safely.”
To report any incidents involving School Crossing Patrollers, contact:
Corinne Randall—Aylesbury Vale and Wycombe (West):
01296 383432
Georgina Longley—Chiltern & South Bucks and Wycombe (East):
01494 586639
For more information on current vacancies, please visit www.buckscc.gov.uk/scp
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