Two drivers who failed to stop for a school crossing patrol in Heywood have had their vehicles seized by Greater Manchester Police (GMP). The incidents occurred on October 13 and 14 on Bury Old Road, where a moped and a silver Skoda drove past the lollipop man, Barry Jones, while he was standing in the road. Fortunately, nobody was injured.
Police Action Under Section 59
The matter was reported to police, who used powers under section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 to seize the vehicles after collecting evidence. The action follows a growing problem in Rochdale, where 137 fail-to-stops have been reported across the borough over the past five years.
Body worn cameras are now being used in hotspot areas to deter dangerous driving and support prosecutions where needed.
Council and Police Response
Councillor Dylan Williams, cabinet member for highways and facilities, said: “It beggars belief that somebody would see a school crossing patrol clearly standing in the middle of the road and continue to drive. Frankly I’m appalled.”
He added: “We would like to thank GMP for their quick and decisive action and I think it’s a really good result. We will not compromise on the safety of our schoolchildren, their parents and carers and our school crossing patrols. Being able to get to and from school safely and to be able to go about your job without fear is the very least anyone should have the right to expect.”
Paul Clarke, traffic PCSO team leader at GMP, said: “There are a number of offences related to failing to stop for a school crossing patrol, and, having considered all the circumstances here and looking at the evidence, we felt that seizure of the vehicles was appropriate.”
Ongoing Safety Measures
Clarke added: “School crossing patrol officers play a vital role in protecting children and other pedestrians and drivers are reminded that when a school crossing patrol officer displays the stop sign, all traffic must stop.” The council says it will continue to report incidents to the police and push for prosecutions wherever possible.
