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Campaign launched to address abuse of parking staff 

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Today, the North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) is launching a pilot campaign in Harlow to address increasing violence and aggression faced by its Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs).

Titled “Beyond the Uniform”, the campaign comes in response to a sharp 175% rise in reported verbal and physical assaults on staff over the past three years. 

This past year, NEPP has seen its highest ever number of incidents, with incidents being reported almost daily and more than 100 incidents recorded since April. CEOs face diverse forms of abuse, including spitting, racial and homophobic slurs, sexual harassment, physical threats, and even being deliberately driven at. These incidents take a significant emotional, mental, and physical toll on staff. 

“Beyond the Uniform” seeks to foster respect and empathy for CEOs by highlighting their humanity. It urges the public to see beyond the uniform, recognising CEOs as individuals – parents, grandparents, and friends – who contribute positively to their communities.  

Often misunderstood, CEOs not only issue penalties for illegal parking but also ensure road safety for schoolchildren, facilitate emergency vehicle access, and maintain accessibility for disabled individuals, among other crucial responsibilities. 

For ease of understanding and to support the Positive Parking Agenda, which NEPP is a founding member of, Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) are referred to as ‘Parking Officers’ in the campaign materials. 

Running until April, the campaign features digital and print marketing alongside pop-up community engagement events. These events will be held at The Hub in the Harvey Shopping Centre from 10am to 2pm, on 11 February, 22 February, and 18 March. 

Funding for the campaign was awarded jointly last year to NEPP and Brighton & Hove City Council by Parking and Traffic Regulations Outside London (PATROL) through its Driving Improvement Awards programme. PATROL is the statutory joint committee of other 300 local authorities in England (outside London) and Wales that enforce civil parking and other traffic restrictions. NEPP and Brighton are spearheading the Beyond the Uniform campaign ahead of a planned national roll-out by PATROL to its wider authority membership later in the year. 

Councillor Paul Honeywood, Chair of the North Essex Parking Partnership, said: “Our CEOs play a vital role in keeping our roads safe, clear and accessible for everyone. The abuse they face is deeply troubling and completely unacceptable. This national pilot campaign is a vital step in protecting our staff, fostering public understanding of their invaluable role, and promoting a culture of respect.” 

Laura Padden, Director of PATROL, said: “‘The “Beyond the Uniform” campaign highlights that staff working in parking and traffic enforcement are everyday people, with families and hobbies like everyone else. Their work is challenging and is often met with an entrenched negative public perception that makes them, as individuals, the target of unjustifiable abuse on our streets. 

“The shocking incidents reported in recent years underscore just how urgent the issue of enforcement staff abuse is, and I’m proud that PATROL is backing this important initiative. By showcasing the stories of enforcement staff, we hope to inspire a shift in attitudes and ensure these essential workers, helping to keep roads safe and traffic moving, are supported not targeted.” 

Harlow Council Councillor Nicky Purse, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, said: “This is an important campaign that raises awareness around the inexcusable abuse our Parking Officers experience for doing what is undoubtedly an incredibly important and challenging job which keeps our roads and pedestrians safe from irresponsible parking. 

“We hope that this campaign encourages people to reflect on their behaviour and attitude towards Parking Officers, to see the people beyond the uniform and the positive work they do to protect our town and communities.” 

Further information about the campaign, including materials, can be found on the NEPP’s website at north.parkingpartnership.org/beyondtheuniform.

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Notes to Editors: 

  • Workplace violence reporting: The incidents of workplace violence reported above are based on internal reports and do not include police data. The actual number of violent and aggressive incidents experienced by staff is likely to be higher due to underreporting. 
  • Pilot location: The campaign is being piloted in Harlow, where NEPP staff experience the highest levels of abuse. 
  • Terminology: In the campaign materials, Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) are referred to as ‘Parking Officers.’ 
  • Staff protection measures: NEPP is committed to safeguarding its staff through comprehensive safety training, equipment and procedures. Support services are available for employees who experience abuse, and NEPP collaborates with staff and the police to pursue successful prosecutions. A recent example is the 12-month suspended sentence given to an individual who racially attacked a CEO in Colchester. Information about how NEPP protects its frontline staff can be found on its webs

Essex-wide Day of Action to tackle Blue Badge misuse  

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On 1 October, the North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) conducted a successful Blue Badge Day of Action, resulting in more than 300 Blue Badges being checked, 14 being inspected and six Penalty Charge Notices issued. 

During the Day of Action, NEPP officers focused on Colchester, Clacton-on-Sea and Harlow, where hundreds of Blue Badges were checked for fraud and misuse. Officers were also available to answer any queries from the public.  

The South Essex Parking Partnership (SEPP) also participated in this Blue Badge Day of Action, making it an Essex-wide event. In total, over 700 Blue Badges were checked, 26 PCNs were issued, and two Blue Badges were confiscated across Essex. 

Blue badges provide individuals with an exemption from certain parking restrictions and access to designated disabled parking spaces. The purpose of this Day of Action was to address those misusing the badge and illegally utilising the parking concession. 

Examples of Blue Badge misuse include: 

  • Using a badge when the badge holder is not part of the journey 
  • Using a badge that belongs to a deceased person 
  • Using an out of date or expired badge. 

 
Councillor Paul Honeywood, Chair of the North Essex Parking Partnership, said: “The misuse of the Blue Badge is an act of fraud and prevents those with a valid blue badge from being able to use the accessible parking spaces they need.   

“Blue Badge abuse will not be tolerated, and I hope this Day of Action sends a clear message to anyone misusing the scheme.” 

NEPP Day of Action sends clear message to persistent offenders

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On 21 September, NEPP civil enforcement officers (CEOs), in partnership with the Police and enforcement agents, carried out a successful Day of Action in Colchester to tackle persistent offenders who regularly park illegally in the city centre.

The officers stopped several vehicles on the High Street and received full payment for nine Warrants of Control for unpaid Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), totalling £915.75.

NEPP CEOs also issued 35 PCNs to drivers flouting parking restrictions and engaged with the public, who expressed safety concerns about food delivery couriers parking on the High Street.

Cllr Daniel Land, NEPP Chair, said: “We are pleased with the results of our Day of Action, and we will continue to take action against those who deliberately choose to ignore the parking rules. Parking restrictions are in place for a reason, and it is important that everyone complies with them. This is about targeting the right people and making our city centre and highways safer for all.”

Cllr Martin Goss, Colchester Borough Council Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Waste, added: “I am delighted to see that NEPP is taking action to tackle persistent parking offenders in the city centre.

“This is a safety issue, primarily, and I am glad that NEPP is taking steps to address it. I hope that this Day of Action will send a clear message to those who persistently ignore the rules that their behaviour will not be tolerated.”

NEPP is planning future Days of Action across North Essex.

For more information about NEPP, visit north.parkingpartnership.org

School road safety scheme launches during Road Safety Week

Earls Colne Primary School 3PR Launch on 15 November: (Not in order) Cllr Richard Van Dulken (NEPP’s Member for Braintree District Council), Cllr Gabriella Spray (Braintree District Council Ward Councillor), Ms Sibley, Headteacher of Earls Colne Primary School, school staff and pupils, Essex Police. and 3PR costumed-character.

Earls Colne Primary School 3PR Launch on 15 November: (Not in order) Cllr Richard Van Dulken (NEPP’s Member for Braintree District Council), Cllr Gabriella Spray (Braintree District Council Ward Councillor), Ms Sibley, Headteacher of Earls Colne Primary School, school staff and pupils, Essex Police. and 3PR costumed-character. 

This Road Safety Week, the North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) is aiming to improve road safety for over 400 pupils at Earls Colne Primary School by launching one of its gold 3PR packages.  

3PR, which represents the three parking rules of care, consideration and caution, delivers a positive message about school parking and provides advice and guidance to children, parents and carers on safe and considerate parking practices. As well as focussing on safety outside the school gates, the initiative also encourages sustainable and physically active ways of travelling to and from school such as walking, cycling and scooting. 

This package includes Park and Stride locations, where parents are encouraged to park away from the school gates and complete the rest of their journey on foot. The aim is to reduce the number of vehicles stopping to drop pupils outside of the gates, potentially obstructing the view of pedestrians and cyclists, to reduce congestion and increase safety. 

Partners of this Park and Stride scheme include Earls Colne Recreation Club car park, Earls Colne Village car park (managed by Braintree District Council), Earls Colne Village Hall car park and Riverside Spice car park.

The school will also be operating and patrolling a 3PR zone outside the school, where pupils collect tokens for walking, scooting, or cycling into the zone.  This reduces the number of cars at the school gates and engages pupils by encouraging competition with other classes to be awarded the coveted 3PR trophy.  

In addition to the above, the school has been provided with 3PR resources including 3PR Hi Vis jackets, information leaflets, signage, educational content and much more. 

The school also has a vending machine where pupils can purchase prizes with points earned over each term.   

Cllr Dan Land, North Essex Parking Partnership Chair, said: “I was pleased to attend the launch at Walton last week, seeing kids happy and at the same time safer, is surely what we all want. We are really proud of the work we do to make school drop-offs and pick-ups safer, and Road Safety Week will play a big part in that. Our 3PR schemes genuinely make a difference and I encourage any schools interested in the scheme to get in touch with us via the 3PR website, schoolparking.org.uk.” 

Jakki Sibley, Headteacher of Earls Colne Primary School, said: “Here at ECPS we’re very committed to finding new ways to encourage a calmer, safer and greener school journey for our families. NEPP has been excellent in providing the resources to set up the 3PR initiative and with help formalising our Park and Stride schemes with local partners. We are looking forward to seeing the positive impact the Park and Stride and 3PR zone will have on cars stopping outside the gates to drop off pupils.   

“I think 3PR is an excellent scheme, fully funded by NEPP, they have provided us with the resources we need to help educate pupils, families and our local community around road safety at the school gates. 

“I’d like to take the opportunity to say thank you to the local businesses who have supported the scheme and allow our families to use their facilities, this community is great at working together and this is no exception.” 

Yesterday’s launch at Earls Colne Primary School follows an identical gold 3PR launch which took place at Walton-on-the-Naze Primary School on 4 November, as well as three silver 3PR package launches last week.

Suzie Bliss, Headteacher of Walton-on-the-Naze Primary School, said: “The launch was great fun and meant that lots of our families were engaged and involved. So far, it has already had an impact on the parking outside our school.  

“Thank you to NEPP’s 3PR team for the event.”

To find out more about 3PR, visit schoolparking.org.uk

Walton-on-the-Naze Primary School Launch on 4 November: (Not in order) Cllr Dan Land (Chair of the North Essex Parking Partnership), Cllr Delyth Miles (Tendring District Ward Councillors), Mrs Bliss (Headteacher of Walton-on-the-Naze Primary School), school staff and 3PR costumed-character.

School starts the new year with new road safety scheme 

Photo of 3PR launch at St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School in Colchester on 10 January 2023: (Not in order) Councillor Martin Goss (NEPP’s Member for Colchester City Council), Ward Councillors Sue Lissimore and Leigh Tate, Mrs Kelly (Headteacher of St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School), school pupils and the 3PR costumed-character.

St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School in Colchester has started the new year by launching one of the North Essex Parking Partnership’s (NEPP) Gold 3PR packages to improve road safety outside the school for its 200+ pupils.  

3PR, which represents the three parking rules of care, consideration and caution, delivers a positive message about school parking and provides advice and guidance to children, parents and carers on safe and considerate parking practices. As well as focussing on safety outside the school gates, the initiative also encourages sustainable and physically active ways of travelling to and from school such as walking, cycling and scooting. 

The school will also be operating and patrolling a 3PR zone outside the school, where pupils collect tokens for walking, scooting, or cycling into the zone.  This reduces the number of cars at the school gates and engages pupils by encouraging competition with other classes to be awarded the coveted 3PR trophy.  

In addition to the above, the school has been provided with 3PR resources including 3PR Hi Vis jackets, information leaflets, signage, educational content and much more.  

Cllr Dan Land, North Essex Parking Partnership Chair, said: “It’s fantastic that another school has signed up for our very popular and effective 3PR scheme. Almost 30 schools across North Essex have now signed up to the scheme and I would encourage any schools interested in the scheme to get in touch with us via the 3PR website at schoolparking.org.uk.” 

Mrs Kelly, Headteacher of St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School, said: “The children are very excited about sharing 3PR’s message with their parents and carers and showing our neighbours how we always act with kindness and consideration – even when we are parking!”  

To find out more about 3PR, visit schoolparking.org.uk