PUPILS at a primary school near Aberystwyth have teamed up with police in a novel approach to increasing speed awareness near the school.

Ysgol Rhydypennau schoolchildren joined forces with police officers, one of whom was using a speed gun on the northern approach to Bow Street, on the A487, after the pupil-led school council decided to do something about speeding cars passing the school.

If a motorist was caught in excess of the 30mph speed limit on the approach to the school, the officer would radio the other police officer, who was waiting with the pupils in the lay-by outside the school and asked the driver to pull in.

The drivers were then given the choice of answering some questions from the schoolchildren, or to take their chance with the law.

Speaking to the Cambrian News this week, headmaster Peter Leggett said he believed the idea, which was the brainchild of the pupils who elect a school council representative for each school year at the start of the academic year, was “effective”.

“We are looking for all opportunities we can to increase the pupils’ voice in school, and the school council had the idea after regular visits from Dyfed-Powys Police,” Mr Leggett said.

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