Patrollers wearing high-visibility clothes were out and about in Peterborough city centre to launch the Stop Means Stop campaign to warn drivers to take care when they travel past schools, and remind them that they could face fines of up to £1,000 if they flout the law.

Radio adverts, display boards, bus advertising and leaflets have also been used to promote the campaign, run jointly by Peterborough City Council and Eastern Region Road Safety Group.

During the last school year, a total of 81 drivers were reported to Cambridgeshire police for ignoring requests to stop.

But it is thought this is just the tip of the iceberg, with six motorists for every one reported to police getting away.

At its worst, some motorists have accelerated their cars, swerving at the last minute to avoid the patroller in the road.

Others have threatened the patroller with physical violence, while some have met requests to stop with a volley of obscene and threatening language.