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Controversial “spy cars” could be used in Essex

A controversial method of monitoring and clamping down on illegal parking is set to be roaming the streets of north Essex.

High numbers of complaints about parents parking dangerously outside the school gates has prompted “spy cars” similar to those in Southend may soon be patrolling north Essex on the look out for any cars parked illegally.

Parking manager for North Essex Parking Partnership Richard Walker told the Essex County Standard that he received more complaints about the 301 schools in his area than anything else.

The cars are fitted with cameras and automatic number plate recognition systems will drive around the area filming any cars which are parked illegally. The North Essex Parking Partnership currently deploys 62 civil enforcement officers to monitor parking in Colchester, Tendring, Braintree, Uttlesford and Harlow but wardens struggle to monitor parking at all schools in the area.

There are concerns that the scheme would be an invasion of privacy but the majority of people understand that something must be done to address the issue of illegal parking.

Equita, a local bailiff firm, has offered to supply and run one of the parking monitoring cars for a charge of almost £18 per fine issued to poor parkers.

A decision will be made in Thursday as to whether the CCTV cars will be used in north Essex.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Francesca Dent .