Police using cameras to get tough on offenders illegally parking when dropping children off

And they are ready to get tough and hit offenders with on-the-spot fines of £60 if they are caught, after receiving complaints from the public.

Officers are using mobile CCTV cameras and mounting foot patrols to discourage a minority of parents from resorting to practices which are potentially dangerous.

These include incidents of people illegally parking up on “no go” zig zag lines right in front of school gates, in order to drop off their children more quickly.

Another practice is “double parking”, pulling up alongside vehicles already parked at the side of the road, meaning children cannot see the road clearly and are at risk of being hit by cars.

Some Fleetwood schools are so concerned that a child could be injured they have warmly welcomed the help from police.

At Shakespeare Primary School on narrow Manor Road, a youngster was injured just before Christmas when she got out of her father’s car and was hit by another car as she tried to cross the road to school. Fortunately her father was able to catch her before she hit the ground, but the youngster still needed hospital treatment.

Shakespeare head teacher Susan Bartlett said: “Children are at risk every day. There are still issues about people dropping the children off outside school, or of them double parking.

“We have a park and ride agreement with Aldi, which is around the corner on Poulton Road, allowing parents to park there and walk the children to school. We are trying to discourage parents from parking up outside school, it is so dangerous.

“The police scheme is really welcome. We have asked parents not to do park outside the school but unfortunately a good many still do.”

At St Mary’s RC Primary School on London Street, head teacher Ann Kowalska said: “We have sent letters home to parents asking them not park like this, but while the majority adhere to the safety guidelines, there are others who don’t.

“Having all these cars coming into one small area, and also blocking the vision of children trying to cross the road, just adds up to potential danger.

“Our priority has to be the safety of the children.

“The police have been very helpful and since they have been intervening, the problems haven’t been as bad.

“But we still have to get the message across.”

Sgt Dan Whitaker, of Fleetwood Police, said officers were monitoring schools because there was seen to be a problem.

He said: “There is a potential that a child will be seriously hurt so we are trying to get the message across to parents.

“The sad thing is that it is the children of the people parking illegally who we are trying to protect.

“People will be given tickets if they are caught, so the warning is there.”