Document Actions
School Crossing Patrols
The Road Safety Centre is responsible for the operation and management of this service in Cardiff. School Crossing Patrol Officers operate at many locations throughout Cardiff, and each day they assist thousands of people to cross the road safely. Vacancies for patrols often exist.
Vacancies currently exist at certain locations throughout the City and County and these can be very difficult to fill owing to a lack of suitable applicants within that area.
If you have a few hours to spare, or know someone who does, and would like to help our children stay safe on the roads and earn £6.08 per hour.
If you would like further information about current vacancies, please click on the contact us link below or ring the Road Safety Centre Tel: 029 2061 9907/8.
A reminder for motorists
When approaching a patrol you should always be prepared to slow down or stop. Once the Patrol raises the sign in a vertical position you must by law STOP. You must not wait for them to step off the pavement. The Highway Code states, YOU MUST STOP WHEN SIGNALLED TO DO SO BY A SCHOOL CROSSING PATROL EXHIBITING A STOP SIGN.
School Crossing Patrol Service celebrates 50th anniversary
In April 2003 the School Crossing Patrol service in the UK celebrated its 50th anniversary. To mark this auspicious occasion Road Safety staff played host to more than fifty patrols and their families who were invited to a barbeque held in the grounds of the Road Safety Centre on 29th May.
To celebrate this milestone in the history of the service, all Patrols in Cardiff have been presented with a commemorative mug, badge and fleece.
History of the service
Britain’s first Patrol, a Mrs Hunt was appointed by Bath City Council in 1937 to work outside Kingsmead school.
Despite the bombing raids, Mrs Hunt continued to work throughout the Second World War, moving to a new site with the children when the building was destroyed in a bombing raid in 1942.
Experimental Patrols appeared in London in the 1940’s and Traffic Wardens were used to assemble children in Dagenham in 1949.
The idea proved very popular and other boroughs in London began to follow suit, leading to the Metropolitan Police deciding that this was something it should adopt and take over.
Patrols were formally recognised in Britain by the School Crossing Patrols Act in 1953 and allowed to operate across the country.
Responsibility for the service in England and Wales now lies largely with the local authorities.
In 2001 their powers were extended to allow adults, in addition to children, to be crossed by Patrols.
Currently in excess of 30,000 Patrols are operating throughout the UK, with approximately 1200 officers being deployed in Wales.
