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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Wardens probed over wrong tickets | Wardens probed over wrong tickets |
| (1 day later) | |
| An inquiry has begun after three parking wardens issued fines on a car parked in a bay which had no sign listing parking 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 Services acted after a vehicle in London's West End was incorrectly targeted. | |
| The company said the wardens believed they had acted correctly and there was no criminal behaviour involved. | |
| Westminster Council said the actions of the wardens were 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. |
| 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 Services. | |
| We have clearly let ourselves down badly Tim Cowen, NCP Services | We have clearly let ourselves down badly Tim Cowen, NCP Services |
| 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. | 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. |
| He explained that that meant there was "effectively free parking" in the bay until the sign was replaced. | 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. | The company said it had begun an investigation into the matter. |
| He said: "We have clearly let ourselves down badly. | 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. | "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." |
| 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 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." |
| At least 200 traffic wardens work in the West End, NCP Services said. | At least 200 traffic wardens work in the West End, NCP Services said. |