Police chief keen to ditch blitz on illegal parking
Wednesday, 30th November 2011.
Haverhill's new police chief says he hopes to persuade the public not to ask his officers to waste any more time trying to prevent illegal parking in the town centre.
Ins Peter Ferrie told Haverhill Town Councillors meeting last night that he wanted to get the public to agree to drop the priority at the next Safer Neighbourhood Team public meeting on Monday.
Cllr Ricky Green had asked if police had already given up taking action as he had seen numerous cars parked on double yellow lines.
Insp Ferrie said the issue was a problem for all inspectors at Haverhill, and for all other towns as well.
"It's a problem we will always have," he said. "If people can park there, they will. While people can drive into High Street they will park there."
Cllr Phillip French said the latest decision by DSt Edmundsbury Borough Council to charge disabled blue badge holders for parking was likely to 'put the cat among the pigeons'.
"There will be some who won't pay and so will park on double yellow lines," he said.
Insp Ferrie agreed but said it was not something the police could ever solve alone.
Town mayor Cllr Maureen Byrne said the majority of residents wanted High Street pedestrianised. "Until it happens this will be a problem," she said. "When he get it, the town will benefit no end."
Insp Ferrie also assured members his officers would deal robustly with any disorder on the streets, in the wake of four PCs being assaulted in the space of four weeks.
These included PC Mike Potter, who will be off work until February at least, Insp Ferrie said. He had just heard the youth responsible had been given a community service order by the court, which Insp Ferrie found 'disappointing'.
"We shall deal robustly with any problems," he said. "We will be putting extra officers into the town centre over the holiday period, SNT officers, PCSOs and myself as well.
"I am determined we are not going to lose control of the streets."
The town council sent its best wishes to PC Potter for a speedy recovery and Cllr French said: "In the light of assaults on officers, I am sure all right-thinking people in the town are right behind you in what you are doing and would want to support you in doing your job."
Ins Peter Ferrie told Haverhill Town Councillors meeting last night that he wanted to get the public to agree to drop the priority at the next Safer Neighbourhood Team public meeting on Monday.
Cllr Ricky Green had asked if police had already given up taking action as he had seen numerous cars parked on double yellow lines.
Insp Ferrie said the issue was a problem for all inspectors at Haverhill, and for all other towns as well.
"It's a problem we will always have," he said. "If people can park there, they will. While people can drive into High Street they will park there."
Cllr Phillip French said the latest decision by DSt Edmundsbury Borough Council to charge disabled blue badge holders for parking was likely to 'put the cat among the pigeons'.
"There will be some who won't pay and so will park on double yellow lines," he said.
Insp Ferrie agreed but said it was not something the police could ever solve alone.
Town mayor Cllr Maureen Byrne said the majority of residents wanted High Street pedestrianised. "Until it happens this will be a problem," she said. "When he get it, the town will benefit no end."
Insp Ferrie also assured members his officers would deal robustly with any disorder on the streets, in the wake of four PCs being assaulted in the space of four weeks.
These included PC Mike Potter, who will be off work until February at least, Insp Ferrie said. He had just heard the youth responsible had been given a community service order by the court, which Insp Ferrie found 'disappointing'.
"We shall deal robustly with any problems," he said. "We will be putting extra officers into the town centre over the holiday period, SNT officers, PCSOs and myself as well.
"I am determined we are not going to lose control of the streets."
The town council sent its best wishes to PC Potter for a speedy recovery and Cllr French said: "In the light of assaults on officers, I am sure all right-thinking people in the town are right behind you in what you are doing and would want to support you in doing your job."
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