New CCTV car catches 1,500 illegally parked drivers
Leicester City CouncilA new car equipped with a CCTV camera has caught more than 1,500 drivers parking illegally after patrolling Leicester for a month.
The city council introduced the enforcement vehicle, equipped with a number plate recognition camera, on 1 April to help tackle illegal and dangerous parking.
It has been monitoring red routes, zigzag markings outside schools and bus stop clearways, and drivers breaking the rules are automatically issued with a £70 fixed penalty notice.
Geoff Whittle, assistant city mayor for transport and environment, said the car had been sent to areas where "there are persistent issues but no current fixed camera enforcement".
Leicester City Council said in its first four weeks, the CCTV car's patrols had resulted in 1,475 penalties being issued for illegal parking on red routes in London Road, Gravel Street and Abbey Lane.
A further 34 penalties have been issued for illegal parking close to school gates outside eight city schools.
'Effective deterrent'
The vehicle, which has initially cost £57,000 to buy and equip, will be funded from the income generated from penalties.
Whittle said: "We know that camera enforcement and fines can be a very effective deterrent.
"In its first few weeks, the CCTV enforcement car has caught hundreds of motorists flouting parking rules.
"They will now face a fine, but more importantly receive a strong message that illegal and dangerous parking will not go unpunished.
"We are confident that the new CCTV enforcement will be an effective tool to clamp down on dangerous and inconsiderate parking, especially in areas where there are lots of children and busy traffic."
The council previously used a similar vehicle, which it leased from Nottingham City Council between August and December 2019.
It patrolled city streets, enforcing double yellow lines and school gate restrictions, which resulted in more than 100 fines being issued to drivers.
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