News

110 threats to parking attendants reported to police

Some traffic wardens have been told they will be "burned out of their homes" by irate drivers, an MLA has said. Picture by Mal McCann
Some traffic wardens have been told they will be "burned out of their homes" by irate drivers, an MLA has said. Picture by Mal McCann Some traffic wardens have been told they will be "burned out of their homes" by irate drivers, an MLA has said. Picture by Mal McCann

THREATS have been made to parking attendants in more than 100 cases across Northern Ireland in the past 18 months, with some being warned they would be "burned out of their homes" by irate drivers.

New figures show that there were 110 incidents of threatening behaviour towards parking attendants reported to police from May 2014 to December 2015.

Belfast tops the list, with 41 incidents, followed by Armagh, with 10 cases, and Coleraine, with nine recorded instances of threats being made to parking attendants.

The statistics were released in response to an Assembly question by Ulster Unionist South Antrim MLA Adrian Cochrane-Watson, who said he had been prompted to table the query after hearing of serious incidents outside Belfast City Hall during one week in November.

A protest by more than 200 black taxis based at the public hire rank outside City Hall calling for greater spaces and facilities for taxis was sparked by a £45 penalty.

Mr Cochrane-Watson said: "There are 10 active cases being brought forward by police arising out of incidents over five days in November outside Belfast City Hall."

The South Antrim MLA said the fact that eight towns across the north had just one recorded incident of threats being made showed there "is a good enough rapport between traffic wardens and the public."

He added, however: "These are serious issues, these are not just cases where somebody gives a bit of lip. There have been cases where attendants have been threatened with being burned out of their homes, where somebody has named the street the parking attendant lives in."

"I don't think it is acceptable, and indeed there are many occasions where men and women have to be moved and re-deployed. They are being threatened while doing their job."

Mr Cochrane-Watson added: "We all get frustrated with parking but this is not justified."

In 2008, parking attendants were withdrawn from parts of west Belfast after receiving threats from dissident republicans.

Last year The Irish News reported that a total of 108,000 parking tickets were issued across almost 100 villages, towns and cities in Northern Ireland during 2014.

Although Coalisland is regarded as a hot-spot for parking offences, with motorists sharing photos on social media of poor parking, no tickets have been issued in the town for five successive years.

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Incidents of threatening behaviour towards parking attendants reported, from May 2014 to December 2015:

Antrim - 2

Armagh - 10

Ballymena - 5

Ballymoney - 3

Banbridge - 4

Bangor - 2

Belfast - 41

Bushmills - 1

Carrickfergus - 1

Castlederg - 1

Coleraine - 9

Cookstown - 1

Downpatrick - 1

Enniskillen - 1

Kilkeel - 1

Lisburn - 5

Derry - 2

Lurgan - 4

Magherafelt - 3

Newry - 4

Newtownards - 4

Portrush - 2

Portstewart - 2

Randalstown - 1