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Suffolk Equips 55 School Crossing Patrols With Bodycams as Safety Drive Begins

The rollout follows a trial that secured prosecutions, signaling a stricter approach to abuse of patrol officers.

Overview

  • Suffolk County Council confirmed a countywide issue of body-worn cameras after recent incidents including a spitting attack in Lowestoft and repeated verbal abuse of an Ipswich officer by a teenage cyclist.
  • A six-week Lollipops Aren't Just For Children campaign began in early March with adverts on buses, radio spots on Heart Suffolk, and targeted social media messaging.
  • Footage captured during the trial has already supported successful prosecutions, providing evidence to enforce compliance at crossings.
  • Drivers who fail to stop for a school crossing patrol face up to a £1,000 fine and three penalty points under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, with driving bans possible in more serious cases.
  • Patrol officers have legal authority to stop traffic for any pedestrian, a point the council is stressing to improve driver understanding and respect for crossing orders.