Police have shared messages from primary school children in Cornwall as part of its latest road safety initiative #RUKIDDING.
#RUKIDDING was launched following complaints from schools, residents and parents about parking and speeding outside of the schools in the Saltash area.
Messages from pupils taking part in Saltash Neighbourhood Policing’s project included:
“The cars normally drive really fast outside of school, it’s not very safe.”
“They were driving 33mph in a 30-speed limit, why don’t they slow-down.”
“Cars drive really fast in the lanes around the school and near my house.”
“Cars always speed on this road and always when I walk to school. I don’t think they are doing it now because it’s because we are here with the police.”
“I like it at school when the parents park safely.”
In some cases, children from primary schools in the Saltash area spoke with members of the public alongside Devon & Cornwall Police officers, to share messages and give road safety advice direct.
Saltash Neighbourhood Policing Team’s road safety initiative #RUKIDDING, involved Foundation and Year 6 pupils from Brunel, St Mellion, St Stephen’s, Sir Robert Geffrey’s Primary Schools and St Germans Primary School.
In total, around 130 children over 5 schools, met local police officers, who explained what being a police officer involves and they had a chance to look at police equipment, vehicles and see the lights and sirens working before taking a seat in the car and imagining what being a police officer might be like.
Some year 6 students conducted an education-based Community Speed Watch by their school and were keen to get involved to help police the roads using the speed detection devices. Some spoke directly to motorists about exceeding the 30mph limit and parking safely outside of schools at pick up and drop off times including the issuing of some parking warning notices.
Acting Police Sergeant Dan Lewis from Devon & Cornwall Police said: “Discussing why road safety is important with young people in our community, and hearing concerns directly from Year 6 primary school students during #RUKIDDING has been valuable. It means we can share messages directly from them which are loud and clear to our community. Please be careful and considerate on the roads.”
Lorraine Cabello, Assistant Head Teacher at Brunel Primary and Nursery Academy said: “This amazing initiative was organised by PC Dan Lewis of the Saltash Neighbourhood Policing team (Neighbourhood Beat Manager) and has been a huge success at Brunel Primary & Nursery Academy.
Brunel Primary & Nursery Academy are hoping that this will have a positive impact on road safety around school and also in Saltash. The school are now looking forward to further opportunities to liaise with the #RUKIDDING project in the future with the police.“
Early Years Foundation Stage Lead Teacher Mrs Karen Matthews commented: “ Our reception children loved having a visit from Dan and Kim. They learned that police officers are there to help and told us how to keep safe on the roads. The children were buzzing after such an exciting visit.”
“The Year 6 Speed Awareness group were equally engaged”, and Mrs Kerrie Williamson (TA) noted: “The Year 6 children loved learning how the radar gun worked and trying to catch speeding drivers.”
For more information about police activity in your area see your local neighbourhood police social media pages or visit www.devon-cornwall.police.uk