'Spy cars' smacks of big brother tactics, says council leader (From Braintree and Witham Times)
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'Spy cars' smacks of big brother tactics, says Tendring Council leader
10:00am Friday 12th October 2012 in News
CONTROVERSIAL plans for ‘spy cars’ which could be used to patrol outside schools “smacks of big brother tactics”, according to a council leader.
The North Essex Parking Partnership plans would see cars fitted with cameras, GPS and automatic number recognition systems to identify drivers who flout parking restrictions outside schools.
Offending drivers, who park on zigzag lines, bus stops, clearways and other restricted areas would then be fined.
But Tendring Council leader Councillor Neil Stock said there needs to be proof the plans would actually solve the problem of people parking on restricted areas outside schools.
He said: “This smacks of big brother tactics to me and I believe it is more about making money than anything else.
“I want to see where this has been tried elsewhere as well as evidence to show that these methods have been successful."
