Jailedfor spearattack
Traffic wardens slapping drivers with 50 parking tickets a day
A Dunblane man has been jailed for throwing a homemade spear at a neighbour in a row over loud music.
Andrew Sturrock (32) was locked up for 16 months after he hurled the weapon, made from a cook’s knife on a pole, at his neighbour after being confronted about the noise he had been making in a block of flats.
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Stirling Council’s newly-appointed traffic wardens have been making their presence felt. In little over two weeks, the enforcement officers haved issued no fewer than than 651 parking tickets at an average of around 50 each day.
Decriminalised parking enforcement came into force on Wednesday, May 3, allowing wardens to snare drivers breaching parking rules. Council bosses say 629 of the tickets were issued in Stirling and 22 in other parts of the authority’s area.
Revenue from the fines already imposed could yield at least £19,500 but that figure could increase to £58,500 if motorists are hit with the maximum £90 penalty for delayed payment.
If tickets continued to be issued at this rate, Stirling Council would make at least £507,000 in parking fines each year.
In contrast, police issued only 110 tickets in the city centre between beginning of April and end of July last year.
Mark Fitzpatrick from the council’s enforcement team gave an insight into the operation of the enforcement officers at a meeting of Bridge of Allan Community Council this week. He explained that on Tuesday in Bridge of Allan they slapped tickets on eight
vehicles, including four issued to local traders.
Mr Fitzpatrick also said that enforcement officers had on occasion been subject to abuse from those unhappy that they had been issued with a ticket – something Stirling Council say they show a “zero-tolerance approach” to.
The local authority took over parking enforcement on Wednesday May 3 after decriminalisation was finally brought into place.
Police informed the council four years ago that they would withdraw from on-street parking enforcement and a temporary deal was reached while the council sorted out the legislation required to take on the service permanently.
However, problems began to become more apparent when police traffic wardens left their posts last year – prompting what was described as a parking ‘freefor-all’ in the Stirling area.
An enforcement team, which is made up of 15 officers – three of which are dedicated to parking, was introduced by the council last month but they were unable to issue tickets until the legislation was finalised.
Any vehicle found to be in contravention of any parking restriction will be issued a Penalty Charge Notice for £60. This will be reduced by 50 per cent if paid within 14 days or increased to £90 if ignored.
A Stirling Council spokesperson said: “Since decriminalised parking enforcement came into force on May 3 the council has issued 651 tickets, with 629 issued in the city, and 22 across our rural areas.
“We have also seen a large increase in the number of resident permits purchased. Our enforcement team is continuing to work closely with our communities to encourage people to park safely, which will help reduce the risk of accidents or injury.
“This is vital work, and we have had cooperation and support across our communities.”