Hundreds of foreign drivers are getting away with refusing to pay when fined for parking illegally in Thanet.

Less than 6% of the 1,517 motorists with vehicles registered abroad who were issued a ticket in the last 12 months have coughed up, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.

Despite just 87 paying their fine, only 133 of the 1,430 who did not were chased up with enforcement action by Thanet District Council (TDC).

South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay says this highlights a "weakness in the system" and is an issue for the government to resolve amid fears the problem could get worse after Brexit.

"The issue of recoverability and enforcement action against foreign-registered vehicles is a widespread issue," he said.

"Although the means exist to chase civil penalties such as these through data exchange with EU countries, the practicalities often mean the cost of appointing bailiffs to chase smaller debts makes it uneconomic to do so, and hence councils take the easier path for pure cost reasons. I do not condemn them for that.

"There is a wider issue in play here, and that is the six-month rule for EU-registered cars.

"After this period has elapsed, it is a requirement for such cars to be registered in the UK. This is to primarily ensure compliance with MOT and insurance.

"This is rarely enforced and is a weakness in the system."

Mr Mackinlay believes "a large number of these unenforced fines" would apply to such vehicles belonging to EU citizens now resident in the UK.

He added: "This is an issue for the government.

"I have proposed to ministers a simple number plate recognition system with database at ports of entry to ensure the six-month rule is complied with.

"The UK is uniquely placed to manage this with few points of entry."

A TDC spokesman said: "Vehicles registered abroad must register with the DVLA and be issued with British number plates if they are in the the country for longer than six months.

"Many drivers do not do so which means they cannot be traced and are in effect immune to fines, taxes and parking charges, as well as being uninsured.

"Authorities are unable to do any more than issue parking tickets that then cannot be collected due to these cars being unregistered in the UK.

"They have no powers to remove vehicles for non-payment of penalty charge notices.

"This is an issue affecting the entire country and we understand that different solutions are being looked at a national level.

"The police will investigate if there is reason to believe a foreign vehicle should have been registered, and we will continue to work with them and other agencies to try and minimise their impact."

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