Undercover Traffic Wardens

Recently some traffic wardens have been patrolling in plain clothes and unmarked cars, issuing parking fines and ensnaring unsuspecting motorists.
Merton council in London has continued using undercover traffic wardens despite the fact that the Parking and Traffic Appeals service has been overturning many of the fines that have been issued by these underhand traffic officers. Regardless of this, Merton council has been spending over £4,000 a month to ensure its wardens are not recognised, by using a fleet of privately hired cars so that traffic wardens can move amongst the public without being spotted. Merton council recently tried to claim that this technique is “normal practice”.
Nevertheless, the Parking and Traffic Appeals Service has argued that these methods are underhand.
The sneaky tactics became known publicly following a criticism from Derek Anderson. Mr Anderson was given a surprising £60 fine for parking out front of Raynes Part station in South London. As Mr Anderson went into the station to purchase a parking permit, two plain-clothed wardens drove up behind his vehicle in an unmarked warden’s vehicle. They issued Mr Anderson a fine of £60. The driver of the unmarked vehicle was not wearing any identifying traffic warden markings or uniform. The driver then proceeded to inspect Mr Anderson’s tax disc and then asked the other uniformed co-worker to issue the fine.
Mr Anderson was quite alarmed at the time, as he believed the inspectors to be rogue wardens trying to steal his money. He complained about this to the council, but was just advised that inspectors had no requirement to wear uniforms, so long as they are the driver and are not the officer that actually issues the ticket.
The Parking and Traffic Appeals Service overturned the penalty, stating that the tactics were “underhand” in nature. However, the council still argue unmarked cars are for the safety of officers.