CCTV car patrols school run

Story link: CCTV car patrols school run by Jan Harris

In a move that is likely to add fuel to the argument that Britain is becoming a surveillance society, Harrow Council has started monitoring the school run with a specially adapted smart car.

The car, which is equipped with a CCTV camera mounted on a 15ft mast, is being used to catch parents who park illegally outside Longfield Middle School in Harrow, when dropping off their children.

Offenders will be given a leaflet on traffic safety, and could be issued with parking tickets for repeat offences.

New regulations came into force on 1 April, giving district councils the authority to use CCTV cameras to issue parking tickets.

The use of the surveillance car has been welcomed by the governors and headteacher at Longfield Middle School, as they were concerned that irresponsible parking was compromising the safety of the school children.