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  • "
    Nigel Wise wrote:
    Lefty These so called 'safety' cars were responsible for running down a child in Southend: http://www.echo-news .co.uk/news/9178252. Young_boy_hit_by_CCT V_car_on_Southend_se afront/ Therefore it is YOU that 'supports lawbreaking.' 'Lawbreaking' is something that these vehicles do on a regular basis : http://www.echo-news .co.uk/news/local_ne ws/southend/9659544. Southend_man_s_landm ark_spy_car_victory/ The issuing of tickets by the use of these vehicles in areas where CEO's can freely and easily patrol on foot is against the statutory guidance which Authorities must have regard to. Clearly in Southend there is no regard to this. In Richmond upon Thames it was decided that the use of these vehicles was not necessary. They were removed from our roads: http://cabnet.richmo nd.gov.uk/documents/ s29394/Item%2012%20- %20Fair%20Parking%20 Review.pdf We have had a 'Fair Parking' enforcement policy here since that time. There have been no reported incidents of any traffic problems or saftey events since this was done over a year ago. Businesses are now recovering. Lord True's policy of 'Fair Parking' and working with small businesses to encourage vibrant local shopping streets has now started to bear fruit. Prior to this the 'draconian enforcement' by these 'spy car' vehicles drove some shopkeepers and small business to the wall. Refer to this footage at post # 7 at 1:40 onwards: http://notomob.co.uk /discussions/index.p hp/topic,1281.msg107 18/topicseen.html#ms g10718 It will be necessary to copy and paste the above links into your browser.
    Try and get your facts right!

    The Richmond CCTV cars were removed because they were not registered with the DfT which is a legal requirement, so they had to pay back over a million pounds in illigal fines. We have been assured by Southend Council that these cars are registered.

    If you read the comments from the article where the boy on the seafront was knocked over you will see that he ran out from between 2 vans, the CCTV vehicle was not speeding and the driver was not prosecuted, so NO law breaking took place!

    Read your own statement and I quote 'statutory guidance'. The clue is in the second word, it's guidance and not law, so you are wrong with your so called facts again.

    These CCTV cars are paid to do a job and they should be allowed to get on with it. My daughters school has been far better since the cars started visiting and I can also get on a bus without walking out in to the road.

    As far as I'm concerned, it was a bold move by the Council and it's working!"
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Masked bikers warn drivers about spy cars

8:40am Monday 18th June 2012 in News By Jasmin McDermott

Watching the CCTV car – Graeme Jones and Si Clark Watching the CCTV car – Graeme Jones and Si Clark

CAMPAIGNERS are donning vigilante-style masks and taking to the streets of Southend warning motorists who are in danger of being nabbed by the council’s spy cars.

The group, known as No To Mob, are following the controversial CCTV cars around the borough on motorbikes, stopping to tell drivers parked illegally to move on – or get a fine.

The six masked men form part of a protest about the way the cars are being used and the rules under which they operate.

Their leader is trader Bob Wells, 52, who has led similar protests in Westminster and Bexley, Kent.

Mr Wells, owner of Printer and Cartridge Solutions in Woodgrange Drive, Southend, started his campaign following fears the spy car was driving vital custom away from his business.

He claims the car travels along the road past the stretch of shops at least once a day looking for illegal parkers. And therefore is not fulfilling its purpose.

Steve Baker, from Enfield, a member of the group, said: “We are not stopping the cars from doing their job. In fact, we are encouraging and helping them.

“If drivers are not parking illegally, then they won’t get caught.

“We are simply helping the spy car fulfil what the Secretary of State said in 2008, which was to get 100 per cent compliance, with no penalty charges.

“We also observed the cars to make sure they were not committing any offences themselves when they were out.”

Mr Wells launched his petition calling for a review on the controversial cars in April.

It has so far attracted more than 2,000 signatures from fed-up traders and residents.

He hopes No To Mob’s presence has caught the attention of council officials.

Mr Wells, of The Drive, Chalkwell, who has set up action group SOSSpyCar, said: “Traffic offences in the town need to be policed responsibly, and at the moment they are not.

“Many of the parking issues we have can be dealt with by traffic wardens.

“I support the car covering schools and clamping down on dangerous parking, but it seems by and large they are not doing this.”

Andrew Lewis, director for enterprise, tourism and the environment, at Southend Council said: “I am extremely concerned.

“The two civil enforcement officers found their presence extremely intimidating.

“Unfortunately, there was nothing we could do to prevent them from taking this action as they weren’t breaking the law.”

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