Express & Star

'It could have been a child' – mini officer warning sign damaged outside Shifnal school

Warnings over child safety have been issued after a mini police officer metal sign was hit by a car outside a school near Shifnal.

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The mini officer was damaged after being hit by a car

John Campion, police and crime commisioner for West Mercia, said it could easily have been a child.

The PCC first introduced the metre-high caricature police officers in November, and there are now about 70 in place across the West Midlands.

Mr Campion said: "This accident should be a stark warning to motorists, because it could have easily been a child. These signs are portrayed in a characterful and childlike way to encourage drivers to be considerate before they speed or park inconsiderately outside a school.

“When these signs are loaned to schools, they are advised by their local policing teams to position them in a safe place, such as a pavement, so I am extremely concerned that someone has managed to collide with this sign.

“I urge people to take their time around schools. These signs are working really well for the majority of schools that have used them, but there are some areas that are clearly still suffering.

"We all - as police, local authorities, parents and teachers - need to be doing more to see this problem lessen.

"If schools would benefit from extra signage, I am more than happy to accept applications through my safer roads funding.”