Whistleblowers, parking scams June 1 BBC1 9pm
Discussion
BBC1 9pm,
"Parking
For six months, two BBC journalists worked undercover, investigating the truth about parking enforcement. In the UK, a parking fine is issued every five seconds reaping local councils and private businesses more than £1billion a year in revenue. Motorists complain that they're ticketed, clamped and often towed for the slightest infringement of the rules - and sometimes no infringement at all. But what about the army of parking attendants enforcing those rules?
We've uncovered a shocking subculture of illegality well beyond a few questionable tickets. We've found parking attendants cancelling tickets for cash; we've uncovered the credit card fraud used to clear fines in return for backhanders; we've seen PAs accepting bribes from local businesses to turn a blind eye to their illegal parking. Within one local authority, we've followed a parking attendant as he's ticketed a motorbike left unattended and then set about trying to steal it - with the full help and knowledge of several of his colleagues. What's more, it's clearly a familiar racket. Whistleblower exposes the corrupt and criminal world of the parking attendant. Contains strong language. [S]"
"Parking
For six months, two BBC journalists worked undercover, investigating the truth about parking enforcement. In the UK, a parking fine is issued every five seconds reaping local councils and private businesses more than £1billion a year in revenue. Motorists complain that they're ticketed, clamped and often towed for the slightest infringement of the rules - and sometimes no infringement at all. But what about the army of parking attendants enforcing those rules?
We've uncovered a shocking subculture of illegality well beyond a few questionable tickets. We've found parking attendants cancelling tickets for cash; we've uncovered the credit card fraud used to clear fines in return for backhanders; we've seen PAs accepting bribes from local businesses to turn a blind eye to their illegal parking. Within one local authority, we've followed a parking attendant as he's ticketed a motorbike left unattended and then set about trying to steal it - with the full help and knowledge of several of his colleagues. What's more, it's clearly a familiar racket. Whistleblower exposes the corrupt and criminal world of the parking attendant. Contains strong language. [S]"
Reading
http://tinyurl.com/cob9w
really is a dreadful state of affairs.
Seems A.A., R.A.C. dont seem to care when IMHO they should be lambasting the Transport Minister. Problem as I see it is that we do not have a Motoring Organisation with any teeth or clout or willing to take up the cudgel.
DVD
http://tinyurl.com/cob9w
really is a dreadful state of affairs.
Seems A.A., R.A.C. dont seem to care when IMHO they should be lambasting the Transport Minister. Problem as I see it is that we do not have a Motoring Organisation with any teeth or clout or willing to take up the cudgel.
DVD
The story on the link provided by DVD makes sorry reading, a mess indeed.
Not just a London situation, last year Bromsgrove sacked two attendants for failing to issue 19.5 tickets a day minimum. The attendants claimed it was impossible to do this without stretching the rules.
On the other hand.....
As you might know I try to be objective. In my local small town one could go out and issue 20+ tickets a day without having to stretch the rules or break into a sweat, and they would ALL be drivers who are just extracting the michael. At least 5 would be on zig zags at ped X-ing and schools in situations that even Blunderkitt could see was dangerous.
One of the major traffic delays in our parish results from drivers who are either just too lazy to walk the 50/100m to the pay and display or the 250m to the free car park.
Results in High street grinding to a halt when, for example, a heavy vehicle is unable to fit the gap between a bus at a terminus stop and double yellow perils directly opposite.
Probably tonights show won't reveal much that has not been previously suspected. So thinking back this is at least the second set of undercover journos in parking enforcers, plus we've had the same in TfL kengestion charging operators. How long before similar occurrence in a camera partnership?
Not just a London situation, last year Bromsgrove sacked two attendants for failing to issue 19.5 tickets a day minimum. The attendants claimed it was impossible to do this without stretching the rules.
On the other hand.....
As you might know I try to be objective. In my local small town one could go out and issue 20+ tickets a day without having to stretch the rules or break into a sweat, and they would ALL be drivers who are just extracting the michael. At least 5 would be on zig zags at ped X-ing and schools in situations that even Blunderkitt could see was dangerous.
One of the major traffic delays in our parish results from drivers who are either just too lazy to walk the 50/100m to the pay and display or the 250m to the free car park.
Results in High street grinding to a halt when, for example, a heavy vehicle is unable to fit the gap between a bus at a terminus stop and double yellow perils directly opposite.
Probably tonights show won't reveal much that has not been previously suspected. So thinking back this is at least the second set of undercover journos in parking enforcers, plus we've had the same in TfL kengestion charging operators. How long before similar occurrence in a camera partnership?
cooperman said:
This is no surprise; give any no-hope moron, who couldn't get a real job, a chance of a scam and they'll take to it with relish. Imagine if the speed camera industry were privatised.
It will be. Oh, yes, it will be.
Not sure about that, wouldn't speeding have to be "de-criminalised" first?
That was 
MilnerR said:
james_j said:
Imagine if the speed camera industry were privatised.
If it continues to turn a nice profit then it may well become something the government could sell off the rights to. If it becomes any more of a political hot potato then i wouldn't be surprised.....
It already is, in all but name. They HAVE to "turn a profit" to survive, and a rake off is paid to each partner, and Gordon recieves his cut. Sounds like a private company to me.
If it walks like a duck, swims like a duck, quacks like a duck, then: "It's a FE
in' Duck!" >> Edited by 8Pack on Thursday 2nd June 01:02
Exactly 8PACK! The annoying thing is that if public opinion continues to swing against speed cameras then the government are increasingly likely to turn it over to the private sector.
BTW I thought speeding offences were civil offences hence you don't get a criminal record for going through a scamera at 36mph.
BTW I thought speeding offences were civil offences hence you don't get a criminal record for going through a scamera at 36mph.
MilnerR said:
Exactly 8PACK! The annoying thing is that if public opinion continues to swing against speed cameras then the government are increasingly likely to turn it over to the private sector.
BTW I thought speeding offences were civil offences hence you don't get a criminal record for going through a scamera at 36mph.
No you don't, but neither did you get a criminal record for a parking ticket before it was "decriminalised". It simply means the police don't have to deal with it AFAIK.
MR2Mike said:
It simply means the police don't have to deal with it AFAIK.
Like the current situation then. Drive through a scamera, get photo taken, recieve NIP from civillian operator, send off cheque and licence, get cheque cashed and licenced endorsed.
Justice? Fair play?
Not when there's money.... sorry lives at stake
from how it appeared, if a vehicle has been ticketted 3 times the local council deem it to be abandoned. They then lift it and scrap it (presumably after informing DVLA). The PA's had an arrangement where they simply take the vehicle home and gain possession of it.
Like a bike?, ticket it 3 times and it's yours.
The fat t**t PA had even checked up to see what the insurance would be for it, all foiled when the owner came back for his bike to find it moved, locked, and with a cover over it (done by the PS to stop anyone nicking it before he could take it away!!!)
Like a bike?, ticket it 3 times and it's yours.
The fat t**t PA had even checked up to see what the insurance would be for it, all foiled when the owner came back for his bike to find it moved, locked, and with a cover over it (done by the PS to stop anyone nicking it before he could take it away!!!)
At the risk of repeating whats already been said.....
When any enforcer of fines receives financial rewards related to the value and frequency of those fines a conflict of interests occurs. This is very obvious and basic stuff. It also explains why the police now hide mobile speed camera traps at the bottom of hills where the previous 60mph limit has been changed to 40mph, and why the gap between flashes on Gatso speed cameras isn't always what it's supposed to be. Who are the real criminals here? The Public or the so-callled authorities?
When any enforcer of fines receives financial rewards related to the value and frequency of those fines a conflict of interests occurs. This is very obvious and basic stuff. It also explains why the police now hide mobile speed camera traps at the bottom of hills where the previous 60mph limit has been changed to 40mph, and why the gap between flashes on Gatso speed cameras isn't always what it's supposed to be. Who are the real criminals here? The Public or the so-callled authorities?
Wasn't aware but the following Bill was being considered before the election.
http://tinyurl.com/dnspv
Wonder, as a result of the programme, they will resurrect and make law. They should do.
DVD
http://tinyurl.com/dnspv
Wonder, as a result of the programme, they will resurrect and make law. They should do.
DVD
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff