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Wardens probed over wrong tickets Wardens probed over wrong tickets
(about 2 hours later)
An inquiry has begun after three parking wardens apparently issued fines on vehicles parked in bays where there were no signs listing restrictions. An inquiry has begun after three parking wardens issued fines on a car parked in a bay which had no sign listing parking restrictions.
Parking contractor NCP acted after cars in London's West End were found to have been incorrectly targeted. Parking contractor NCP acted after a vehicle in London's West End was found to have been incorrectly targeted.
NCP said the wardens believed they had been acting correctly and there was no criminal fraud involved. NCP said the wardens believed they had been acting correctly and there was no criminal behaviour involved.
Westminster Council said the behaviour of the wardens was unacceptable and the penalties issued would be cancelled. Westminster Council said the actions of the wardens were unacceptable and the penalties issued would be cancelled.
The attendants apparently posted penalty notices on cars and then took pictures of signs listing parking restrictions in another bay nearby. Video footage showed attendants posting penalty notices on a car parked in a bay, then taking photographs of signs listing parking restrictions in another bay two metres away, said a spokesman from NCP.
Wardens 'mistaken' We have clearly let ourselves down badly Tim Cowen, NCP Services
Tim Cowen, of NCP Services, said: "We have clearly let ourselves down badly in Westminster this week, and our clients Westminster City Council. Tim Cowen from the company said the ticketing "mistake" had happened on two occasions because the sign in the bay where the car was parked had been removed.
"There is no fraud, there is no incentive to us to issue these unenforceable tickets, but there is clearly a much greater need for better training and better controls in this location, and in this aspect of our job. He explained that that meant there was "effectively free parking" in the bay until the sign was replaced.
The company said it had begun an investigation into the matter.
He said: "We have clearly let ourselves down badly.
"There is no fraud, there is no incentive to us to issue these unenforceable tickets, but there is clearly a much greater need for better training and better controls in this location and in this aspect of our job.
"We are confident our officers thought they were acting properly, but we accept that they were mistaken.""We are confident our officers thought they were acting properly, but we accept that they were mistaken."
Cabinet member for environment and transport for the council, Councillor Danny Chalkley, said: "This kind of behaviour by parking attendants is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The cabinet member for environment and transport, Councillor Danny Chalkley, said: "This kind of behaviour by parking attendants is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
"The parking attendants involved have been removed from duty pending formal investigation."The parking attendants involved have been removed from duty pending formal investigation.
"Our rules clearly state that if there is no sign on a parking bay a ticket should not be issued.""Our rules clearly state that if there is no sign on a parking bay a ticket should not be issued."
NCP Services said at least 200 traffic wardens work in the West End. At least 200 traffic wardens work in the West End, NCP Services said.