THE first school ‘lollipop man’ in West Sussex to wear a body camera to capture bad drivers, now also wears an official badge.

Camelsdale Primary School’s crossing patrol officer Len Howard was caught in the national spotlight in May, when he was kitted out with a body-worn video camera to help slow down speeding motorists and improve road safety.

The decision to use surveillance was taken to deter bad drivers on Camelsdale Road, who use their phones and swerve around Mr Howard rather than stop for the children crossing the road with him.

The scheme is nicknamed ‘Len’s Lens’, and signs on each side of the school warn motorists it is in operation.

The camera was provided by West Sussex County Council with the support of Lynchmere Parish Council.

Now ‘Len’s Lens’ also has his very own badge, which was designed through a whole school competition led by the school’s junior road safety officers (JRSOs), who have also been running a ‘Be Bright Be Seen’ initiative.

The winning badge designed by Amelie, promotes the fact that Mr Howard now wears a body camera in order to ensure motorists drive more safely within the school’s crossing zone.

Headteacher Sarah Palmer said; “Mr Howard does a great job in keeping the children and their families safe while crossing the busy Camelsdale Road. With the support of our JRSOs, the parish council, West Sussex County Council and Surrey Police, we are seeing a change in driver behaviour. Thank-you to everyone who is now much more aware of Len’s Lens.”