Petards cameras help Kirklees Council's parking van nears ticket target more than seven months ahead of schedule

12 October 2011

KIRKLEES Council's parking camera van, which utilises Petards Hawk Plus ANPR cameras has proved more than twice as successful as planned.

Officials had hoped the vehicle, launched in May, would snap 1,500 inconsiderate parkers in its first year, bringing in more than £100,000 in fines.

But yesterday the council revealed that the van had almost reached the target after just four-and-a-half months on the road.

The van has snapped 1,435 parking offences since it hit the streets on May 16.

Kirklees has taken in £30,000 in fines so far with much more to come as penalty charge payments go through the system.

Motorists tend to be unaware they have been caught parking illegally until the £70 fine lands on their doormats.

The van was launched in May to target motorists who park on zigzag lines outside schools or in loading bays, bus stops or double yellow lines.

Petards Hawk Plus 2i camera, fitted to the roof of the van produces high-quality images overlay images and Automatic Number Plate Recognition hits, which police use to spot cars which are uninsured.

Residents, police officers, schools and councilors have all requested the vehicle visit certain streets.

The van is focused on problem areas, including around schools where parents parking on zigzag lines causes difficulties for children.

The five most frequently visited schools so far are: Colne Valley High in Linthwaite; All Saints Catholic College in Bradley; St Patrick's Catholic Primary in Birkby; Crosland Moor Juniors and Boothroyd Juniors in Dewsbury.

A council spokesman said: "The CCTV vehicle is doing an effective job across the district and has been well-received generally."

Schools, bus operators and local people have welcomed the initiative.

The vehicle was introduced in May to increase the safety of pupils and parents around schools as well as local residents, pedestrians and other road-users all across Kirklees.

"Schools all over the country suffer problems with irresponsible parking by parents, and the situation is reflected here in Kirklees where a minority of drivers potentially risk serious injury - or worse - to children".