A council’s parking wardens have come under fire – after a video emerged appearing to show them stopping on double yellow lines while issuing a fine.
Footage, said to have been filmed in Olympia Way, Whitstable yesterday (June 18) shows two Canterbury City Council enforcement officers handing out a ticket to a motorist.
They then walk back to their van, left in an area in which parking is prohibited at all times by Kent County Council.
When questioned by the person filming, one of the officers can be heard saying: “If it’s an emergency I have to park there.”
When asked what the emergency was, the same officer says: “To give that ticket.”
The footage, which has been viewed thousands of times on social media, led to one critic branding the work of the team as “absolutely disgusting and a disgrace”.
There is no suggestion the original fine issued by the wardens was in error.
Councillor Connie Nolan (Lab), the cabinet member for enforcement, was not impressed by the contents of the video.
She said: “Whatever badge you wear, you’re not above the law.
“You don’t park on double yellow lines and then go and issue tickets for other people – it’s just not on.
“We will look into it, they have to abide by the law by everybody else.”
Fines issued on behalf of the council are used to fund further enforcement, with officers not receiving a cut of any fines, unlike litter wardens.
A council spokesperson said: "Our parking enforcement officers are expected to abide by any parking restrictions that are in place in the areas in which they are working and therefore issuing tickets.
"We understand the frustrations expressed in the video posted on social media and can only apologise.
"A full internal investigation into the circumstances is underway."
