Revealed: The number of drivers caught parking illegally near Leeds schools last term

Data from the Autumn 2017/18 term shows that Leeds City Council’s mobile enforcement vehicle made 190 visits to 52 different schools and issued 111 penalty charge notices.

Uniformed officers, who patrol on foot, made 772 visits to 41 different schools and issued 177 penalty charge notices between September 4 and December 20.

Schools across the city regularly issue messages urging parents to park more considerately when dropping off and collecting their children, but the figures show that the equivalent of four drivers still broke the rules every school day last term.

A letter issued by Carr Manor Primary School last week said: “Parking illegally or inconsiderately not only causes inconvenience to local residents and undermines the school’s efforts to be a good neighbour, but it also creates a major road safety issue, causing danger to our children and pedestrians.

“It sounds obvious, but if you really do need to drive for the school drop off or pick up, then please show some consideration for the safety and wellbeing of others.”

The council introduced a series of new measures back in August as it prepared for the start of the new current year.

It includes the use of the mobile enforcement vehicle which captures camera and video footage. Evidence is then verified by officials to identify where an offence has been committed.

Drivers caught breaking the law get a letter including images taken from the CCTV footage and are issued with a penalty charge notice of £70, reduced to £35 if paid within two weeks.

"This is why we introduced these new measures, using CCTV vehicles to record evidence and take action against those who are flouting the law.”

He said the vehicle also enabled council teams to respond to more requests from schools.

It is used throughout the city outside of school pick-up and drop-off times as well as during the school holidays.