Mini police officers have been on patrol encouraging parents to slow down outside a Bradford primary school.

Bradford Council's road safety team organised a fair in Barkerend to help get across vital messages about keeping safe.

There have been 72 child casualties in Barkerend between 2008 and 2010.

The event was aimed at persuading parents to slow down, particularly near schools, and teaching children to be careful when crossing the road.

Pupils dressed up as police officers and, helped by the police and Council wardens, tackled parents who parked badly, were not wearing seat belts or were using their mobile phones while driving.

They handed out fake penalty tickets as a way of driving the message home.

Sue Snoddy, casualty reduction and road safety partnership manager, said: “We are working closely with the police and the fire service to drive the message home that we all need to drive safely on the roads and particularly around the schools, where children are at greater risk as they are walking or are dropped off at school by their parents.”

The event also marked the start of the Council’s Road Safety Plan which involves working with communities over the next three years to cut road injuries across the district.