THE heads of Cleveland Police have been blindfolded to discover the perils when inconsiderate drivers block footpaths.

Chief Constable Jacqui Cheer and Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger were stumbling around in the dark to help raise awareness and remind people to ‘think before you park’.

The Cleveland Police Disability Support Network (DSN) visited the police headquarters to highlight the difficulties faced by a number of people including those who are blind or partially sighted, deaf, those who use crutches and wheelchairs users.

Geraldine Church, from the DSN, said: “No-one should be forced to walk on the road because a driver has been inconsiderate and used the pavement as a parking space. Those with disabilities encounter these dangerous situations on a regular basis and we want to raise as much awareness as possible to educate drivers and clamp down on the issue.”

The pair donned the blindfold to experience for themselves the difficulties faced by visually impaired people as they try to negotiate footpaths cluttered with illegally parked vehicles.

Mrs Cheer said: “Some drivers have a completely different mindset when behind the wheel of a car. They would be considerate enough to hold a door open for a vulnerable or disabled person but think nothing of parking across a pavement and forcing them to walk on a busy road.”

And Mr Coppinger added: “Obstructing the footpath is not only selfish but extremely irresponsible."