Illegal parking captured on film

Some motorists have been taken by surprise on receiving a parking ticket at home accompanied by two photographs showing their illegally parked vehicle.

Local Councils Association president Ian Micallef said certain councils installed cameras in a bid to control abuse.

Kenneth DeMartino, general manager of Guard and Warden Services Ltd, said cameras were installed mainly for security and surveillance purposes. However, once they were put up, they were also used to clamp down on parking offences.

Dr Micallef said the system has been in use for about four months but it was becoming more widespread as more councils installed cameras.

Wardens manning the cameras from an office took the photographs. A second photograph would be taken three minutes later to prevent issuing tickets to motorists who would have stopped for a very short period. The ticket would then be sent to the car owner's home.

Mr DeMartino said that signs have been put up specifying the areas under surveillance.