Parking officer car photographed in keep clear area at Romford Market
A Parking Enforcement Officer vehicle was photographed by a resident parked in a keep clear section - Credit: Archant
A parking enforcement officer could be set for a taste of his own medicine after his car was photographed in a “keep clear” area.
“Disgusted” resident Scott Sumpton contacted the Recorder last week providing images, taken on March 2, showing a council vehicle parked in Romford Market Place on top of markings clearly stating “keep clear.”
Scott, 39, of Rush Green, said: “The enforcement officer had nipped into the Aldi to grab some shopping, so I waited by the car.
“After about 5 minutes I saw him walking over to his car and asked him why he had illegally parked, he said he had just gone in the shop to get something to eat and grab a couple of things.”
“I explained that if an ambulance needed to get to him if he had a heart attack in the shop, it would not be able to because the marking was totally blocked by his vehicle, not to mention if there was a fire, but he didn’t want to talk any more.”
The officers patrol the borough to keep traffic flowing, ensure turnover of cars in spaces and maximise road safety and are able to issue on-the-spot fines to vehicles breaking parking or waiting restrictions.
Scott added: “I personally am pretty disgusted this guy knows the rules yet chooses to put innocent lives at risk rather than find a space.”
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The council say they will look into the matter.
Cllr Barry Tebbutt, cabinet member for environment, said: “Our parking enforcement officers must obey parking restrictions unless it is necessary to carry out their duties. We will carry out internal investigations and if the officer is found to be in breach of that rule this matter will be dealt with.”
