Property Fund provides local school with road safety equipment

Cumbria’s Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (DPFCC), Mike Johnson, visited St. Patrick’s Catholic School in Cleator Moor to see the how they used funding from the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s (OPFCC) Property Fund to help keep their students safe on the roads.

The Property Fund is held by the OPFCC which receive funds from the Police (Property) Act 1997 and the Powers of Criminal Courts Act 1973, which the PFCC then distributes to community-based causes that enable young and vulnerable people to be supported via local clubs, groups and activities.

St.Patrick’s Co-Head Teacher, Gayle Wilkinson, successfully bid for £986.72 from the Property Fund to help keep the children safe during drop-off and pick up as well as raising awareness around road safety to local residents.  With the funding, the school was able to purchase a four child cut-out pavement signs, a ‘No Parking’ road safety banner, a ‘Don’t Park Here’ road safety banner and a ‘No Parking Zone’ pavement safety notice.

Before applying for the funding, the school’s Mini Police carried out a survey with parents and guardians at pick-up regarding road safety and what measures could be taken to make the area safer for the children.

Speaking on the visit, DPFCC Mike Johnson, said: “Projects such as this one by St. Patrick’s Catholic School is a great example of what the Property Fund can be used for.

“Simple additions such as pavement signs and banners have made a huge difference to the safety of the narrow road the school is on as most drivers are now consciously thinking about where and how they park in a way that is courteous of other road users.

“It also takes pressure off local Police who, in the past, had to attend due to poor parking limiting the movement of other drivers.

“Road safety and dangerous driving is something that is raised with the OPFCC regularly so I’m really pleased that I was able to assist with a local concern around road safety by providing this funding.

“It’s a fantastic initiative and St. Patrick’s has done a brilliant job to help improve their community’s road safety.”

Gayle Wilkinson, Co-Head Teacher of St. Patrick’s Catholic School, said: “Our children’s road safety is a priority to us.

“Cumbria Police, our local PCSO and the council have helped us to raise the profile of road safety, parking and dangerous driving around our school.

“We also have to be mindful of the impact of traffic residents that live near school. We want to work with our community to make our roads safer.”

PC Sarah Pickering-Smith, Copeland Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:

“It is pleasing to see that money generated and seized from those who commit crime is redistributed into very worthwhile initiatives within our communities.

“The safety of children and other road users surrounding school drop-off and pick-up points is incredibly important to all concerned.

“The safety measures now in place will assist in making these areas a safer place for pupils.

“This is further evidence of the work we are doing to address concerns raised by members of our communities.”