DANGEROUS drivers will be caught on camera by a lollipop man fitted witha high-tech device from now on.

School crossing patrol man Len Howard now wears a body-worn video camera outside Camelsdale Primary School – the first to use such equipment to capture bad drivers.

The decision to use surveillance was taken because some drivers around Camelsdale Road use their phones, and even swerve around Mr Howard when failing to stop for chidren crossing the road with him.

The scheme, nicknamed “Len’s Lens”, started this week and signs near the school warn motorists the scheme is in operation before and after school.

The camera, the first in the county, has been provided by West Sussex County Council with the support of Lynchmere Parish Council. Camelsdale Primary School headteacher Sarah Palmer said the camera captures any drivers not driving considerately in the school safety zone.

The school is near to a junction, on the brow of a hill with many parked cars in the vicinity.

She said: “We may be the oldest West Sussex school but we are delighted to be trialling innovative technology to help keep Mr Howard and the children safe.”

The pilot scheme, which runs until the end of term, will be rolled out across West Sussex after the trial to help other schools safeguard their school community and school crossing patrol officer.

“We consider the whole scheme to be a great safety measure which should deter drivers from driving dangerously near to our school and thus putting everyone at risk.

”We are grateful to the hard work of West Sussex County Council, the parish council and our junior road safety officers in making the idea become a reality. We hope to see other West Sussex schools adopt the technology after our trial and thus keep other people safe too.

“Let’s hope no-one is caught on Len’s Lens and is subsequently prosecuted by the police.

“We need everyone to drive safely near our schools. No journey is worth putting others at risk.”

All footage not required as police evidence following an incident will be deleted at the end of each session.

The school was also awarded a “Modeshift” school travel plan award for its commitment to road safety.