‘Pop-up Bairns’ latest road safety initiative

Building on the success of ‘Pop-up Bob’ – the replica police officer holding a speed gun – ‘Pop-up Bairns’ are the latest recruits at Police Scotland to help keep children safe on the roads around schools. Six cutout child characters dressed in high-visibility uniforms are being deployed at Fife schools as part of Operation Paramount, the Fife-wide road safety initiative. Each character is holding a school crossing ‘lollipop’ with the key safety messages of ‘Watch your speed’, ‘Think before you park’, and ‘Don’t park on the zig-zags’. These issues are regularly raised in police engagement with schools, parents and children, and Chief Inspector Adrian Annandale, who coordinates Operation Paramount said: “I am delighted to launch this innovative idea in support of our ongoing partnership work to promote safe and responsible driving around our schools in Fife. “The idea came from work done by Constable Susan Martin, community ward officer stationed in Andrews. “The mini recruits are eye-catching and we hope will promote discussion and encourage responsible driver behaviour where it is most needed.” st needed.”