POLICE are encouraging residents in Hagley to take photos of badly-parked cars outside schools as part of a new scheme named Operation Lollipop.

Safer Neighbourhood Team across Bromsgrove, including Hagley, have set up a dedicated email address to receive the photographs in an attempt to crack down on inconsiderate road users.

Inspector Gareth Keyte, of West Mercia Police, said: "We are asking members of the public to take a photo and send it to us if they see vehicles parked in a dangerous or inconsiderate manner which could pose a risk to children, vulnerable people or other road users.

"West Mercia Police is committed to trying to make sure vulnerable road users and local communities feel safe, and we'd appreciate your help with this.

"With new technology there are a number of different ways of tackling this type of offending, and digital images and footage provide good evidence when resolving parking incidents on roads outside schools.

"Although it has always been possible to report these incidents to the force, this new initiative provides a useful facility for the public to share images and help raise awareness and bring justice to those who continue to park inconsiderately and dangerously.

"This kind of evidence is strongest when supported by details of the time, date and exact location (street, town and postcode) of the vehicle when the photo was taken.

"It is also important to have a high quality photo, which clearly shows the Vehicle Registration Mark (VRM).

"By encouraging the community to get involved, we hope to empower local people to keep our schools and young people safe by capturing details of offending vehicles and sending images to us."

Members of the public can send their digital photos of dangerous or inconsiderate parking outside schools to operationlollipop@westmercia.pnn.police.uk.

Officers will then investigate and make contact with the registered keeper to take appropriate action.