Sackings from council CCTV cars

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www.kentonline.co.uk

Newsdesk: 01634 227803

Friday, December 16, 2011 Medway Messenger (MM)

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SPY VEHICLE INVESTIGATION

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CCTV car staff feel the heat SPECIAL REPORT by Dan Bloom dbloom@thekmgroup.co.uk

SIX CCTV car operators have been sacked in two years and almost 20 have quit the job, some after just a few days. A Messenger investigation reveals the controversial spy cars have earned Medway Council more than £750,000 profit, but officers have been hiring one new staff member a month. Drivers of the cars, which take photos of people breaking traffic laws and send them fines in the post, have been sacked for misdemeanours including parking on double yellow lines and ignoring orders from their bosses. One was dismissed in February after just nine days while at least one is believed to have taken leave due to stress. A total of 33 staff have operated the cars since they launched in 2008, thanks to a stream of resignations since last year and five lay-offs last month. The council said the high staff turnover – an average of one employee a month since last January – was due to the use of agency staff. A spokesman added: “It is common for them to move from borough to borough within the parking industry.” However, there is heavy pressure on the CCTV opera-

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tors, at whom angry motorists have reportedly spat and intimidated. One operator threatened to call police last year when Chatham resident Bill Khan filmed the CCTV car, claiming: “Do not take my photograph, you haven’t got my permission to take my photograph.” Three operators now remain after last month’s redundancies and the number of tickets being issued is just a quarter of its peak in March 2010. Council chiefs insist the cars do a good job stopping nuisance drivers, despite calls from opposition councillors for a full review. Community safety partnership chairman Cllr Mike O’Brien (Con) said: “At every

single community meeting I go to I have residents almost demanding the CCTV car goes to their area.” The masked NoToMob group, which wants the cars scrapped, hit headlines in March when members filmed a CCTV car driving erratically through Chatham. NoToMob campaigner Nigel Wise is due to receive a tribunal judgement next month after claiming CCTV car paperwork is invalid. If he wins, Medway motorists could be owed £1.5 million. He said: “I’m not surprised staff come and go, either because Medway Council sack them or because they’re not of the calibre needed.” Medway Labour group spokesman Cllr Tristan Osborne claimed: “Staff are leaving in their droves due to inappropriate recruitment and training.” The council said officers were fully-trained. A council spokesman said: “All members of staff dismissed were agency members and did not meet our exacting standards.” The spokesman added: “All money from tickets is ringfenced and can only be used improving roads, traffic systems and parking schemes. “The number of tickets is reducing and this proves the CCTV enforcement vehicles are having a positive effect. ” � See the full data at medwaymessenger.co.uk

Factfile � The cars have issued 55,000 tickets, but only two-thirds have been paid due to disputes. A quarter have been cancelled after residents fought and won. � They have brought in £1.6 million since 2008, with £771,000 remaining after costs. � Staff have cost £421,000, the cars have cost £319,000 and fuel, maintenance and uniforms have cost £31,000. � The council could pay a heavy price for scrapping the cars before April 2013, because that is when their lease with the firm Traffic Enforcement Systems expires.

‘Somebody has got to make a point’ � From front page damage to my property. I rang the council after they took off the clamp to tell them I’m serious and I won’t stop here. I want my money back.” Mr Stringer had left his name and number on the windscreen, saying he would not release the car until he was refunded the almost £430 he had to pay bailiffs to remove a clamp from his Mercedes for failing to pay a parking fine. But when he drove past the compound on Monday morning, he found the clamp had been taken off. Mr Stringer added: “Somebody has got to make a point. Everyone just goes around and says ‘I’ll pay it’, but I just feel that the council shouldn’t be doing this.” He had originally received the penalty for a parking offence in James Street, Gillingham. He claimed he had asked for photographic evidence to prove it was his car but this was never sent to him. Mr Stringer said: “We received notification two months ago and they never sent anything else. Then we got a letter saying the car had been clamped. But I never would have driven to anywhere in James Street because it’s just down the road. I’m just so angry and I think it is disgusting. ” A Medway Council spokesman said: “We understand this man has admitted to the Messenger that he broke into a Medway Council depot by jumping over a fence. The council has contacted the police and has nothing more to say on this matter.” Kent Police had not returned requests for comment as we went to press.

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