Beds Police Authority was forced to launch an investigation into staff last week after an officer’s car was caught illegally parked outside Dunstable Police Station.
This photograph was taken on Sunday, September 30 by a concerned Gazette reader, who subsequently lodged an official complaint with Beds Police Authority.
A patrol car can be seen fully mounted on the kerb outside the West Street station adjacent to a set of double yellow lines, obstructing the main entrance.
The reader who took the photograph said the car was “clearly causing a nuisance to members of the public”, adding “there was no emergency” that would have justified the vehicle being there.
Responding to the image, Chair of Beds Police Authority, Peter Conniff said: “Any allegations against Bedfordshire Police are taken very seriously and the matter was quickly put to the Force for investigation.
“The complaint has been formally acknowledged and is currently being progressed.”
Central Beds Council website says: “If there are yellow lines on the highway adjacent to the pavement, then a Penalty Charge Notice would be issued since a vehicle parked in this manner is in contravention of the Parking Regulations.”
The news follows a similar blunder by Luton Borough Council, who were forced to ‘apply disciplinary procedures following an investigation’ to one of their drivers after a van was reported to be parked in a disabled bay on September 29.
