A BOROUGH’S parking wardens have become the first in Kent to gain extra powers to fine people for littering and graffiti.

Fifteen members of Tunbridge Wells council’s parking attendant team, plus two street scene enforcement officers, completed a training course before receiving accreditation from the Chief Constable of Kent, Michael Fuller.

The powers allow team members to issue fixed penalty notices to individuals dropping litter or caught spraying graffiti.

Team members are the first in Kent to complete the training course which involved a written test on policing, including sessions on personal safety techniques, investigative procedures, awareness of community safety issues, assisting vulnerable people, and drugs and alcohol awareness.

The aim is for parking attendants and enforcement officers to provide further reassurance to the public as a uniformed presence on the street and in car parks, and to provide a deterrent to littering and vehicle related crime.

What do you think? Join our SpeakOut below.