Cheshire Constabulary calls on people to film illegal parking

Police warn the public not to confront errant drivers

A police force is asking people to report illegal parking in their street by uploading photos or video to its website.

Cheshire Police is advising people not to confront drivers or put themselves at risk to obtain any footage.

Those who do report in this way will also be asked for a written statement and be willing to testify in court.

Operation Park Safe, originally trialled in Crewe, is being rolled out across the county.

The force said it was a successful month-long trial.

Images are assessed by an experienced traffic officer, who will deal with the most dangerous offences.

'Active citizens'

The force also said minor traffic obstructions or "community impact issues" will be allocated to the local PCSO.

Cheshire Police also stressed that officers would not deal with people parking on single or double yellow lines or on the pavement where a pedestrian can walk past as these are local authority responsibilities.

The contraventions people are urged to report include:

• Vehicles parked on or in a crossing area such as zig-zag lines.

• Pavement parking which forces pedestrians to walk in the road.

• School parking offences

Sgt Russell Sime said: "We cannot be everywhere - this initiative relies on the help of active citizens to aid us in making the roads safer.

"It is also important to note there are some offences which do not come under our control."

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer, added: "It's great to see Op Park Safe rolled out across Cheshire so soon after an initial trial.

"This just proves how effective it is in tackling illegal parking and I hope residents across the county feel even more confident in reporting incidents."