Spy car to target illegal parking

A spy car to target illegal parking will be brought permanently to the streets of Wolverhampton.

The city council says a week-long trial of the £50,000 vehicle in March was a success and now they want one to use from early in 2012, despite budget cuts of £96 million over four years.

Bosses say the "CCTV enforcement vehicle" was welcomed by parents and staff at schools where it was used.

The car, which did not cost the council anything, was an adapted Toyota IQ kitted out with CCTV cameras to record evidence of bad parking.

Private companies bidding to provide parking wardens will be asked to say how they would provide and finance the spy car when the current contract expires next year. Wardens are now provided by private firm APCOA.

Steve Woodward, head of street scene services, said: "We found the car made people think twice about where they park, particularly outside schools which can cause real problem. It seems that the very presence of the vehicle would deter many motorists from committing an offence."

He added: "Many parking restrictions simply could not be enforced effectively by foot patrols alone, particularly outside schools."