Herald reader Mr M O'Connor emailed the Herald newsdesk to say how he spotted two police officers parking on double yellow lines before queueing outside Macari's, on Marine Parade, to buy an ice cream.

He wrote: "After a couple more buses crept past the police vehicle the officers, having purchased (no doubt deserved) their 99s, got back into their police vehicle and, you will not believe this, but YEP, whilst enjoying their 99s drove off (and I do mean the driver), obviously to catch someone driving without due care and attention enjoying the sea views."

Sergeant Nick Bowman responded to say the matter would be looked into and the officers concerned could face disciplinary action.

He said: "We encourage our officers to engage with communities and to be as visible as possible even during their breaks.

"What we do not condone is officers breaking parking regulations when it is not necessary for operational reasons.

"This incident will be fully investigated and any disciplinary matters will be dealt with appropriately."

To read the original letter, click here.

On-street parking services manager Mandy Ainsworth responded to the allegations saying: "As the police still have the higher authority over parking and any fixed penalty notice they issue will overwrite a penalty charge notice issued by the civil enforcement officers (CEO), it is difficult to know how to handle such situations.

"However, it would not have hurt for the CEO to have had a quiet word with them.

"Ultimately, though, Sussex Police know the rules of the roads too and should know better than to abuse their position in such a way, and where obstructions are concerned, this is still a police matter rather than a bill with which NCP Services have the legal right to enforce.

"Regarding the loading bay in Liverpool Terrace, the loading bay is restricted 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

"In such instances, we would always expect the CEOs to approach a driver if he / she was in sight and ask them to move on, rather than simply issue a PCN.

"This was the process correctly adopted on the second occasion, although at the time of evening described there would be some leniency as was seen on the first occasion.

"I highly suspect that on the second instance, the CEO had already observed the vehicle here for some time and there is a limit to the amount of leniency which can be deemed acceptable when blatant contraventions are witnessed by the CEOs.

"In terms of rapport with the public, it does not help when the CEOs are referred to as "smurfs", "blue-bottles" or any other name as it can only be seen as degrading when they are simply performing a job like the rest of the people of Worthing who are in respectful employment."


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