Thames Valley Police issued an alert on 26 February 2026 warning of a rise in dangerous and inconsiderate parking near Windmill Primary School in Headington, Oxfordshire. Officers from the North East Oxford Neighbourhood Policing Team will now carry out active patrols at the start and end of the school day to issue tickets to drivers who block roads or pavements.
The neighborhood policing team confirmed that the police will focus on vehicles left on street junctions, zig-zag lines, and pavements. Drivers who block private driveways or park in ways that make it difficult for children and parents to see the road clearly will also face fines.
The school has operated as a permanent School Street since 2022, which means most traffic is restricted during drop-off and pick-up times. Despite this, the location has long been the most-fined School Street in the county; records released in early 2025 showed that cameras in the area had caught more than 8,000 drivers for traffic violations since 2023. Those fines generated approximately £197,000 for the local authority, yet physical parking remains a significant safety risk outside the gates.
Local Neighbourhood Watch groups are being asked to help by sharing road safety tips and reporting drivers who repeatedly park in a dangerous manner. The police patrols are intended to reduce the risk of accidents and ensure a safer environment for pupils and staff during the busiest times of the day.
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