A policeman's lot is not a happy one

Soon after the first police traffic wardens were installed in Worthing, it was proposed that they should report out-of-date car tax discs.

I remember writing a Herald opinion piece attacking the idea, saying traffic wardens should not do policemen's work '“ they each had separate jobs, and they should be done separately.

I was reminded of this by last week's Herald story revealing that the new NCP Services civil enforcement officers (or traffic wardens) are to be the "eyes and ears of the police" in the fight against street and road crime.

Did this awaken old furies? Not a bit.

Over the years, I've grown fed up reading how unlicensed, and probably uninsured, vehicles are costing us law-abiding motorists a fortune through higher motor tax and hiked insurance premiums.

My original view was encouraged by the then current practice of waiting for a fortnight after the road tax disc had officially expired before buying a new one.

You could get away with it in those days, but I've since had to give in to Big Brother and other snoopers not giving you an inch over such matters.

And it's good to think that the parking officers will have less time to waste on the more nit-picking ways they've chosen to hound town parkers who have transgressed in trivial ways.

Apart from the parking, Worthing can be a very pleasant place to relax in the right weather.

Until last weekend, it was years since I spent a Sunday afternoon in the town's heart.

Not surprising, really, living on the borough's fringes. But with the family having grown, it was decided to have a combined Mother's Day lunch at Food '” and very nice it was, too.

What, did surprise me, though, was the sheer number of people thronging the streets and promenade.

I know it was a perfect spring day, but it was only March, for heaven's sake!

What made it so different from Sundays past?

Was it the open shop doors?

I knew Sunday trading had increased in recent years.

But actually pounding the town centre streets (with two energetic young grandsons in tow), you appreciate the full extent of how a comparatively dozy Sunday ambience has been transformed into a bustling atmosphere, with what seems to be most of the main shopping area being very much open for business.

The credit crunch fall-out can be cited as why so many stores are now opening on Sunday.

The same business rates have to be paid, and a living earned, no matter how long or short the opening hours.

With less money out there, more work is needed to get a share of it.

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