PCSOs get extra powers on parking in Telford
Traffic wardens will return to the streets of Telford & Wrekin under a new pilot scheme using community police officers.
The officers have been given extra powers that will enable them to dish out tickets for people parking on double yellow lines.
They will concentrate their efforts on Newport and Wellington, which have both been hit by congestion caused by bad parking.
The pilot scheme is the first in West Mercia and could be opened up to other towns in the region.
It comes as West Mercia Police says its regular officers no longer have te resources to carry out day-to-day traffic warden duties.
The pilot will see the two police community support officers share one full-time post and has been made possible by funding from Newport Town Council, Wellington Town Council and Police and Crime Commissioner Bill Longmore.
It will initially run for 12 months and, if it is deemed a success, it could be extended to other PCSOs.
Superintendent Nav Malik, Police Commander in Telford, said: "I see this pilot as a very important new concept for Telford and I'm very proud of how hard my staff have worked to make this unique project happen for the first time in West Mercia. I look forward to finding out how the pilot progresses and it will be very interesting to see what sort of impact the new PCSOs have on parking habits in Newport and Wellington."
PCSOs Ann Moore and Andy Hudson will take on the traffic warden responsibilities.
The pair have been part of Telford's Safer Neighbourhood Policing Teams for a number of years.
Mr Longmore said: "We have been aware of the parking problem in both Newport and Wellington for many years now, and when we met initially with Newport Town Council last year we said that a solution needed to be found and that someone should take responsibility.
"New ideas and innovation were required and there was an impetus to find a workable solution, which we managed to do between us in conjunction with the local policing commander.
"The PCSOs will tackle the parking issues, but also increase the visibility of the policing team on the streets of Newport and Wellington, which is good news for local people."
