TV probe into city parking

Sunderland Echo
02nd October 06

SUNDERLAND'S parking system is blighted by racism, criminal damage and intimidation, an investigation is expected to claim today.

Footage due to be shown on television tonight will show alleged tricks employed by some attendants to settle old scores, target certain areas of the city and specific individuals.
One worker, apparently even admits to resorting to criminal damage in the BBC's Inside Out programme, to be screened on BBC1 at 7.30pm.
In one case, a parking attendant seems determined to ticket a man because he is Asian, while another worker describes how he damaged a car as an act of revenge after an argument with a driver.
Other motorists, who happen to be friends of some attendants, appear to escape parking fines altogether.
Sunderland City Council took over control of wardens from the police in February 2003, appointing National Car Parks (NCP) wardens across the city.
But recent loophooles in the law, exposed by campaigner Neil Herron, have resulted in hundreds of motorists across the city receiving cash back from fines wrongly handed out.
Chris Jackson, producer of the programme, said: "Some of the nasty behaviour of the attendants is hard to believe.
"These are people who are supposed to be upholding the law and they should have our trust."
The programme also claims to show how some parking attendants fool the council into thinking some streets are being patrolled when they are not.
It also highlights the alleged confusion in Sunderland in recent years between the council and its contractor, NCP, about where you can and can't expect a parking ticket in the city.
Mr Jackson added: "I'm sure this programme will have serious repercussions for both NCP and the council
"We set out to ask some serious questions about the state of parking in Sunderland".
The council and NCP say they have no evidence of racism or criminal damage – and urge people to come forward if they have complaints.
A spokeswoman for Sunderland Council said: "We have received no reports of the serious allegations the BBC is making.
"We are concerned that allegations are being made relating to the service standards of parking attendants in the city by the BBC without being provided with any information to enable us to investigate them.
"If anyone has a complaint of racial harassment or discrimination of any kind they should report it to NCP and to the council to enable it to be investigated properly.
"Decriminalised parking has been reviewed in the city and all appropriate action is being taken to ensure the system remains lawful and enforceable, encourages best use of parking spaces available and keeps traffic flowing safely through the city for residents and business.
"The council has acted transparently in making refunds in appropriate situations."