Education / Shetland bucking the school crossing patrol trend
SHETLAND is one of only a few local authorities in Scotland that have not experienced a reduction in school crossing patrol posts in recent years.
Freedom of information figures highlight how there were three ‘lollipop’ patrol posts in Shetland in 2019 but five in 2025.
For years lollipop men and women have helped children cross the road at schools, helping to improve safety.
But in contrast to Shetland most other local authorities saw a decrease between 2019 and 2025, with only one other – Fife – reporting an increase.
Across Scotland the number of posts decreased from 1,886 to 1,149, leading to concern about children’s safety.
A spokesperson for Shetland Islands Council said the five posts are split across three primary schools.
There are two patrol posts each at Bell’s Brae and Sound in Lerwick, and one at Whiteness.
“Shetland Islands Council has had crossing patrols in these areas for a number of years,” the spokesperson said.
“We feel that in order to support parents and children to walk to school it is important that we have these crossing patrols in place.”
School crossing patrols have been in place since the 1950s.
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