Outraged drivers accused South Sefton Police of employing ‘child labor’ in a controversial PR stunt aimed at improving road safety. The police enlisted the help of local 10-year-old children for a ‘speeding operation’ where they pointed speed guns at motorists on ‘dangerous’ roads. While the police claimed it was an effort to educate drivers, many criticized the move as irresponsible and likened it to exploitation.
A photo shared on social media depicted a ‘mini police officer’ with a speedometer, accompanied by a caption describing the operation conducted by ‘the small police.’ Although the children didn’t issue fines, they provided stern warnings to motorists accused of breaking the speed limit.
Concerns were raised about the children’s safety as they were perceived to be ‘hanging about on the side of the road.’ Critics labeled the stunt as ‘delusional’ and accused the police of exploiting the children, comparing it to ‘child labor.’ The police defended the initiative, highlighting safety measures such as adult supervision, hi-viz clothing, and parental consent.
While some online comments expressed gratitude for sparking a conversation about speeding, others condemned the police for being ‘irresponsible’ and ‘unprofessional.’ Questions were raised about the potential dangers to the children and the wisdom of placing them near speeding traffic.
Sefton Local Police responded to the controversy, thanking everyone for their comments and asserting that the initiative had reached more people than anticipated. They emphasized the serious impact of speeding on road safety and cited statistics from the road safety charity Brake. The police defended their approach, asserting the importance of educating adults about road safety with the help of local school children.
Local Policing Superintendent for Sefton, Paul Holden, emphasized the success of such operations in educating drivers and children, aiming to keep roads safe. He assured the public that the children involved were safe, accompanied by teachers and police officers, wearing high-visibility jackets, and maintaining a safe distance from the road.
Holden explained that the children were allowed to hold the speed guns to gain insight into the officers’ work, but officers were the ones signaling for vehicles to stop. The children joined officers in talking to drivers about their responsibilities on the road, offering an educational conversation as an alternative to fines or license points.
The controversial initiative highlights the challenges faced by authorities in engaging the public on issues of road safety while navigating concerns about the involvement of children in such campaigns.
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