Police aim to fight problem parking around Sheffield schools

Police are patrolling roads outside Sheffield schools to warn parents about the dangers of illegal and obstructive parking.
A PCSO warning parents and issuing advice about parking illegally on roads surronding schools, and the dangers it can causeA PCSO warning parents and issuing advice about parking illegally on roads surronding schools, and the dangers it can cause
A PCSO warning parents and issuing advice about parking illegally on roads surronding schools, and the dangers it can cause

Neighbourhood PCSOs are attempting to deal with the ongoing city-wide problem, which was highlighted in The Star by headteachers earlier this week.

Schools across the city suffer from congested roads at drop-off and pick-up time, and the problem is made worse by people parking on zig-zags and double yellow lines.

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According to many residents and parents, more police patrols are the only way to stop illegal parking and keep children safe.

PCSO Pete Reynolds, based at Moss Way police station in Owlthorpe, visits a different school each week. Earlier this month his team were at Stradbroke Primary School, Stradbroke, where they issued parking notices to six motorists for ‘obstructive and inconsiderate parking’.

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“You often get cars parked on both sides of the road, kids waiting to cross, sometimes people block drives and junctions,” said PCSO Reynolds.

“We go out about once a week. We don’t have the resources to do more than that, but we will keep it up.

“The safety of the kids is our main priority.”

Police will give out warning notices to people they find parked inconsiderately. But if the parking is particularly bad, a fixed penalty notice can be given.

The team tries to talk to people wherever possible.

“We get a good reaction from residents and people that walk their kids to school,” said PCSO Reynolds. “They ask why we can’t be there every day.

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“Some of the motorists can be a bit obstructive. Some realise what they are doing and they just move on.”

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Laziness is a common accusation made towards those who park as close to their children’s school as possible.

PCSO Reynolds said: “I would say there is some laziness and some naïvety. Some just aren’t thinking, but some people just want to park as close to the school as they can.”