Beware of bogus parking attendant
| Published: 6th August 2008 00:09 |
Police are issuing a warning to motorists after disabled badge-owners have been targeted in the Billericay area by a bogus parking attendant.
Officers were contacted on Monday lunchtime, August 4, by Basildon District Council following reports that people had been stopped by a man who was claiming to be a parking attendant. He had been issuing on-the-spot £45 fines for disabled badge discrepancies, with some people paying him.
The man is described as black, very tall, wears a white shirt with black epaulettes with some form of insignia, black trousers and carries a notebook.
Basildon District Council senior civil enforcement officer Bobbie Garrad wants to remind members of the pubic of the correct uniform.
"By looking for the proper uniform, it should be easy to distinguish the difference between a bogus parking officer and an official one," said Pc Dawes. "If you have any doubts about the validity of someone, ask to see their ID and call Essex Police if you believe them to be fake." PC Julie Dawes
She said: "The official Basildon District Council civil enforcement officers, parking officers, wear navy blue uniform.
They will be wearing:
- Navy trousers,
- Navy jumper or coat emblazoned in orange with ‘Basildon Council Civil Enforcement Officer and Parking',
- White shirt,
- and a navy hat with a navy blue band and a metal badge on the front.
"The suspect is offered on the spot fines as an alternative to having the car towed away. In one case, after a victim had paid him money, he then took the ticket back. This would never happen in a legitimate case, as the ticket becomes the person's property once we have issued it to them, as it also has the methods of payments outlined on the back."
All officers carry ID badges and also a handheld electronic computer. Officers never issue on-the-spot fines and are not allowed to accept cash.
Pc Julie Dawes urged people to be cautious if approached by this man.
If you have been a victim of this suspect or have any further information, please contact neighbourhood policing officers at Billericay police station on 0300 333 4444.
By Laura Anderson
