Beep Beep! Day: Helping children stay safe near our schools
Ensuring children can travel safely to and from school is one of the most important responsibilities shared between schools, parents, and the wider community. Young children are especially vulnerable around busy roads and teaching them the basics of road safety from an early age plays a vital role in keeping them safe.
That’s why initiatives like Beep Beep! Days are so important. Designed for children under the age of seven, Beep Beep! Days give schools the chance to spend a day teaching essential road safety messages through fun activities such as role‑play, singing road safety songs, making posters and practising road crossing. Every year, thousands of schools take part to help save lives and raise awareness about protecting children on our roads.
Working together at Cherry Tree Primary School, Basildon
Last week, our team received a warm welcome from children and parents outside Cherry Tree Primary School in Basildon as we joined colleagues from partner organisations to address concerns about parking and driver behaviour around the school entrance on Church Road.
Parents and residents had raised ongoing concerns about vehicles stopping on School Keep Clear markings, unsafe reversing, footway mounting, and dangerous drop‑off behaviour during the morning rush.
Officers and PCSOs attended the school shortly after 8am on Wednesday 18 March to observe conditions first-hand and to support South Essex Parking Partnership School Engagement Officers and Civil Enforcement Officers monitoring parking behaviour.
District Commander Paul Hogben speaks to parent
Watched by District Commander Paul Hogben, the highly visible police presence deterred unsafe driving and allowed direct engagement with parents and residents to encourage safer habits.
This partnership approach led to strong parental support, improved awareness, and led to valuable conversations about how everyone can play their part in keeping children safe.
Why responsible parking matters
The area outside a school is one of the highest‑risk environments for children due to the number of vehicles, distractions, and limited visibility at busy times.
Unsafe behaviours put children at real risk – parking on zig‑zags, blocking crossings, or stopping suddenly. Small changes, such as parking a few streets away and walking the last part of the journey, can make a huge difference.
Beep Beep! Days remind everyone of the important role they play. While children learn how to cross safely, parents and carers are encouraged to make responsible decisions that help protect all road users.
Continuing the message across Essex
At Milton Hall Primary School, PC Lucy Stokes from Southend’s Neighbourhood Policing Team and Speed Enforcement Officer Andy Paterson shared important road safety messages with Year 1 pupils, helping young children understand how to stay safe near roads from an early age.
These educational visits, combined with strong enforcement where needed, form part of Essex Police’s ongoing commitment to reducing danger around schools and supporting families across the county.
Thank you
A huge thank you to the school staff, pupils, parents, SERP, and SEPP for their support and collaboration. Your continued commitment to improving safety around our schools is greatly appreciated – together, we can help ensure every child arrives safely, every day.
With permisssions https://essexpolicemedia.co.uk/