Three Rivers District Council Prosecute for unsafe parking at Shepherd School

Updated: 26 March 2019

Following the prosecution for breach of the Shepherd School Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in December, on Wednesday 20 March, Three Rivers District Council successfully prosecuted a further three people for breaching the PSPO

Following the prosecution for breach of the Shepherd School Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in December, on Wednesday 20 March, Three Rivers District Council successfully prosecuted a further three people for breaching the PSPO.

All three had breached the Order by dropping off or picking up children in a banned zone – causing danger to other children and other drivers. One parent had breached the Order on multiple occasions – and all had failed to pay their Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) or make any communication with the Council.

  • The Court ordered person ‘A’ to pay fines and costs of £350 for a breach.
  • The Court ordered person ‘B’ to pay fines and costs of £350 for a breach.
  • The Court ordered person ‘C’ to pay fines and costs of £580 for two breaches.

The cases were heard in the absence of the perpetrators who failed to attend court and all three now have a criminal conviction.

The magistrates noted that all three had been given several opportunities to communicate with the Council, through officers being present at the school, Fixed Penalty Notices following the breach, warning before prosecution and Court summonses.

Leader of the Council, Sara Bedford, said: “Our Shepherd School PSPO was developed after working and consulting with staff and parents from the school. It is in place to ensure the safety of children travelling to and from this school, nursery and children’s centre; it’s disappointing that people continue to put children at risk to save a few minutes.”

Roger Seabourne, Lead Member for Community Safety and Partnerships, said: “We are determined to continue to make the school journey a safe one for children. The Council take breaches seriously and give people several opportunities to resolve this before moving to prosecution.”

Claire Foad, Head Teacher of Shepherd School, added: “This project has been successful in improving safety for our children travelling to and from school. We are pleased that the vast majority of people support and follow the PSPO and support the Council taking action against those caught breaching it.”