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Member news - updated 1 May 2003

SCPs celebrate 50 years of service

The School Crossing Patrol Service celebrates its 50th anniversary during 2003, and the occasion is being marked by a number of initiatives organised by LARSOA.

First, a ‘thank you’ card will be sent to the country’s 28,000 SCPs to acknowledge their commitment and the work they do. A cap badge is also available, at a subsidised cost, which celebrates the 50th anniversary.

LARSOA is also working with the car manufacturer Hyundai on a ‘Golden Jubilee’ competition – an initiative that is supported by the DfT and RoSPA. Nominations for the best SCP in the country are being invited from RSOs, schools and members of the public - via a national women’s magazine. The prize for the winning patrol is a new Hyundai car, with additional prizes for schools and RSOs.

"In the present climate - with increased traffic congestion and parents concerns about road safety on the journey to school - LARSOA is pleased to celebrate the excellent work that School Crossing Patrols throughout the country have been doing over the last 50 years," said Steve Whitehouse, chair of LARSOA. "We are delighted that Hyundai is undertaking this initiative and are confident that it will help to give patrollers the recognition they deserve."

School Crossing Patrols were officially introduced in Britain in 1953. Here’s a brief history of how the service has developed:-

1920s School Crossing Patrols - or ‘Lollipop People’ - first appear in America.
1937 The first known patrols are introduced in England – in Bath, by a Mrs Hunt.
1940s SCPs are trailed in parts of London.
1949 The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham employs ‘Traffic Wardens’ to help children on their way to and from school.
1953 Following London’s lead, the official School Crossing Patrol Act is passed, allowing SCPs to operate throughout the country.
1971-73 The County Road Safety Officers’ Association (CRSOA) devises guidelines to assist and raise the profile of SCPs.
1974 The guidelines are implemented - the biggest innovation being the switch from a white coat/black hat uniform to high visibility yellow coats, similar to those worn today.
1980s The guidelines are reviewed and SCPs are given a makeover, with new uniforms introduced for everyone. From here onwards, outfits are continually reviewed and updated to comply with Health and Safety regulations.
2001 SCPs are given the power to help adults - as well as children - across the road!
2003 Britain celebrates 50 years of the SCP service - with each Patrol receiving a thank you card to mark the occasion. There are currently around 30,000 SCPs covering England and Wales. However, the service is facing something of a crisis, as increasing traffic and road rage incidents are discouraging people from joining.