PUPILS at a Bradford primary school swapped their uniforms for police and warden outfits today as they took to the streets to warn parents about parking illegally and irresponsibly around the school.

Members of the school council at St Winefride’s Catholic Primary Academy, in St Paul’s Avenue, Wibsey, patrolled the area at the start and end of the school day, accompanied by teachers, Council wardens and police officers.

Any parents who had parked badly or illegally were handed leaflets disguised as parking tickets warning them about the dangers of their careless attitudes.

The leaflets were handed out in official parking ticket pouches, and contained information about good parking practice, road safety, and the dangers of using a mobile phone behind the wheel.

The leaflets were designed and produced by pupils at the school.

The project is similar to an initiative by Bradford Council, primary schools and West Yorkshire Police, to tackle poor parking around schools at the start and end of the day.

At St Winefride’s, concerns about parking led to the school council being asked to lead a campaign, and parents have been invited into the school to meet wardens and discuss the problem.

The Council’s road safety unit has also issued parking leaflets to parents.

In the lead-up to this week, the school council delivered a programme of events focused on road safety, with help from teacher Helen Long and Council ward officer Marie Copley, and also organised an assembly on road safety.

This week has focused on warning and informing drivers about their parking, and next week, starting from Tuesday, Council wardens and police officers will patrol near the school, issuing real parking tickets to parents who park illegally or irresponsibly.

Head teacher Louise Walsh said: “St Winefride’s Catholic Primary Academy is committed to ensuring all children are made aware of their responsibility in arriving at and leaving school in the safest way possible.

“This road safety initiative will provide the children with an invaluable insight into how to keep themselves protected and gain an understanding of the different roles of those entrusted with keeping the community safe.”