The British Parking Association (BPA) is pressing Government to introduce a new criminal charge that would make it an offence to attack a Parking Attendant (PA).
The association claims this new charge is justified as levels of attacks against PAs continue to increase in volume and severity. In London alone, according to the association, PAs suffer on average three physical attacks per day.
The BPA started lobbying Government in 2003 on this matter and has now written to the Rt Hon Ms Harriet Harman MP asking for consideration of a new criminal charge of ‘assault against a public servant’.
Keith Banbury, chief executive of the BPA, says: “For an offence against a public servant to be seen at the same level as an attack against a police officer would send out all the right messages and be seen as a direct example of the Government’s new ‘respect’ campaign that we fully support. As well as protecting PAs, a criminal charge of ‘assault against a public servant’ could also cover attacks against medical staff, railway staff and other ‘risk groups’ in the public service. There is no excuse for verbally or physically attacking any public servant. It is the BPA’s aim to reach a position where the PA is seen as somebody who is supporting society and keeping the streets clear for the benefit of all. If a driver feels that they have been treated unfairly, there is an independent appeals process – violence is not the answer."
The BPA has commissioned (with funding from the DfT) an independent review of how on-street parking enforcement (DPE) is carried out across the country. The results of this review will be announced in July, and put to Government for inclusion in its Statutory Guidance Notes for the Traffic Management Act. The BOPA adds that it hopes Ms Harman will support the BPA and seek public consultation for the proposal of creating a new criminal charge to protect public servants.
Those who wish to support this proposal, are encouraged to do so in writing by contacting [email protected]
