Young children on Merseyside are pleading with motorists to stop parking dangerously outside schools.
Pupils at St George's Primary School in Wirral have said the nearby roads are "very busy" making it dangerous for them as well as parents and school staff, and are urging drivers not to park or idle their engine on zigzag or yellow lines.
The four children who spoke to the ECHO this week were part of the school's 'mini police' scheme, and all aged between nine and 10.
Joe Anderson saw off a challenger last night - but the biggest battle lies ahead
As part of the Liverpool ECHO's Operation ZigZag, launched in a bid to stop selfish and dangerous parking outside schools, the year-five children revealed what they are trying to do to make the nearby roads safer for all.
Niamh Priestly said she often sees people pull up on the zigzag lines around St George's, which is in Wallasey, but urged them not to.
She said: "We're trying to stop the roads from being dangerous because the roads are always very busy and no one can ever cross. It's dangerous for people getting to school."
Neve Jones said: "We've been focusing on keeping people safe and especially little kids crossing the road.
"[We want to stop] people parking on yellow lines for a certain amount of time and also speeding on the roads. We want to keep them safe."
The 'mini police' scheme sees years fives and sixes work with Merseyside Police to promote behaviour and understanding of how communities are kept safe.
They lead assemblies, help with projects and go on school trips to see how the police force works.
Merseyrail station fire that led to commuter disruption was caused by 'act of vandalism'
Fellow pupil Peter Cossins said the problem can come when adults are trying to rush their children into school.
He added: "It's a problem when people park on zigzags because that's supposed to be where people from the other side can walk across, not people zooming in to park there."
As part of Operation ZigZag, earlier this week, we confronted a private hire driver who parked on zigzag lines outside the Wallasey school, and shamed the selfish parents and drivers putting children in danger
Harriet Wilkinson added: "Some people are speeding and it gets too busy on these roads. You try to cross the road sometimes, but it's really hard because it's so busy."
School officials said between three and four cars are usually caught parked or idling on zigzag lines on any given day - before and after hours.
Moment gun-for-hire caught in his socks is slammed against caravan by armed police
Headteacher Bernard Cassidy, said: “We are delighted to be part of the Echo’s campaign because this is a huge problem.
“We do have a problem here. We are a large school and it’s a narrow road.
“We are constantly battling on a daily basis with people both parking on the zigzag lines and cars idling, keeping their engines running. So for us, it’s a safety and a health issue for our children as well.
“We have the support of our school community but there are still a significant number of parents who provide us with challenges.
"We understand that parents are working, we know parking is limited in the area, but we are very much trying to work on solutions. The immediate area around the school should be a safe place for children."
