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School crossing patrols

We provide School Crossing Patrols to assist children on their journeys to and from school.

The law authorises councils to provide School Crossing Patrols but does not require them to do so. In practice we will provide a patrol subject to the site meeting the technical criteria, the active support of the school and the availability of a suitable recruit.

Parental responsibility

Parents may regard the provision of a patrol as an indication that we are assuming the responsibility for the safety of their children on their journey to and from school. This is a misconception. Parents remain responsible for ensuring their children’s safety to and from school even where a patrol is provided.

FAQ's

How do we get a new patrol site?

Requests for a new School Crossing Patrol site should be made by the school or the local county councillor. The site will then be assessed for viability using Road Safety GB guidelines.

What happens if our patrol is absent?

If a patrol is absent (for example through sickness) the area supervisor will try and find a relief patrol to give emergency cover. However there is a serious shortage of relief patrols and often no relief is available. In this case the police are asked to give cover if they can but this is often not possible. If a site cannot be covered the school is told and asked to tell parents at once.

Can patrols cross adults without children?

Patrols may help anyone, child or adult, to cross the road. It used to be just children but the law changed a few years ago so now patrols can cross all ages.