News

SHEPWAY GET TOUGH ON ABUSE

A man who shouted abuse at o­ne of Shepway Council’s parking attendants has had to pay more than just his parking fine.

The 46-year-old from Hythe was traced by police investigating an allegation that a man was verbally abusive to a parking attendant at a car park in Hythe. 

He was issued with a £80 fixed penalty notice under section 5 of the Public Order Act, after admitting using words or behaviour that could cause harassment, alarm or distress.

He also had to pay the £30 parking fine for not buying a ticket in the Mount Street Car Park.

In a separate incident, an Environmental Community Officer was slapped o­n the face when she asked a dog owner to leave the beach where a summer dog beach ban was in place. Police investigated but the man could not be traced.

Councillor Hugh Barker, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said the council would take action against anyone who harassed or assaulted a member of its staff. 

“We will not tolerate abusive behaviour against our staff. Parking Attendants have a job to do, enforcing parking restrictions. People might not agree with those restrictions but that is no excuse to subject our parking attendants to harassment, alarm or distress.”