Scores of parking wardens are being issued with new uniforms and all will have body-worn cameras, Brighton and Hove City Council said today (Thursday 17 July).
The council said: “Civil enforcement officers (CEOs) working on behalf of Brighton and Hove City Council have begun wearing new uniforms this week, introduced by NSL, the contracted provider of parking enforcement services across the city.
“The updated uniforms, designed to enhance visibility, comfort and professionalism, are part of a wider strategy to modernise the delivery of parking services and better support officers in their daily work to keep the city’s traffic moving.
“The rollout of the new uniform follows a recent case where body-worn camera (BWC) footage played a key role in resolving a police investigation involving an assault on a CEO.
“The video helped establish the facts and led to an out-of-court resolution, with the offender completing community service, attending an anger management course and issuing a written apology.
“BWCs are a vital tool in ensuring safety and accountability both for officers and for members of the public.
“All CEOs are reminded to activate BWC during any interaction, particularly where situations may escalate or lead to complaints.”
Labour councillor Trevor Muten, the council’s cabinet member for transport and city infrastructure, said: “We want parking services in Brighton and Hove to be fair and transparent, and focused on keeping the city moving.
“These new uniforms, introduced by NSL, and the continued use of body-worn cameras, reflect our commitment to professionalism, safety and public trust.
“It’s all part of a wider strategy to ensure residents and visitors experience high-quality, people-first parking services.”
The council added that it was continuing to work with NSL to invest in tools, training and service improvements to support safer streets and better outcomes for the public.
Muten wants parking services to be ‘fair and transparent’ ?
Remind us how much money BHCC has made from the badly signed and deliberately counter-intuitive ‘bus gate’ by the King & Queen
I mean, it is exceptionally well signed according to various independent reviews. In my opinion, it is more an indication of the average skill level of drivers in Brighton.
Hmm, not wanting to be rude but the signs in place are clear. There’s even signs on traffic lights indicating where unless you are a Bus, Cycle or Taxi you should go.
You can enter the road where the K & Q is to gain access, but you must turn right at the Traffic Lights at the Junction of North Road, signs clearly tell you that.
Drivers need to look and be more observant.
Incorrect. If you drive down North Road, you can turn left onto the A23 up past the North Laine pub towards St Peter’s, but then you have to drive up Trafalgar Street. I’ve done this many times.
So, the fact you don’t understand it but profess to, is surely proof that it is deliberately confusing
That’s not what deliberate means, Tom. It’s clearly signposted, and we can even look at the limited successful appeals regarding tickets in this area that show that it’s been judged to be clear.
What it suggests, is drivers of low knowledge. The way I challenge people about this is simple. When was the last time you picked up the Highway Code? Do you remember you signed when you passed to say you would keep yourself up-to-date on it?
Thank you for your service 💛
Forget about sorting out the neglected, near-derelict seafront. Let’s buy the Parking Enforcers new uniforms. That will make people want to visit our amazing city and tourist resort that we are all so proud of and spend their money here. Can’t wait to get my photo taken with a council Parking Enforcer to prove I’ve been to Brighton, visitors will say. There’ll be enforcer T-shirts and other Muten merch. Three cheers for this unbeatable council and its tiptop priorities. What about topping off the new look with black nylon trousers with a double red route down the sides?
If you read the article again, it states Uniforms were provided by the operator, NSL, not BHCC.
It’s important you read the article, Elaine, even other people are saying it now!
So were parking wardens unprofessional in their old uniforms. Did the old uniforms reflect a message of a council not giving a monkeys? Really odd phrasing from Councillor Muten and quite how issuing a new uniform is worth the council putting a press release out is mind boggling. What next, a press release because someone’s refilled a water dispenser in a council canteen.
I mean, if you’re expecting a certain look, and it’s changed, you may be inclined to ignore that individual because you may think they are fraudulent, for example.
There IS something a bit off about this story.
The city roads are full of potholes and yet the transport department spend money on new staff uniforms instead.
This does make it seem that the council are focussing on maximising their parking charges and parking fine revenue, rather than delivering better service to those of us paying some of the highest charges in the country.
Parking wardens are of course needed, and my own anger against cars is where lazy drivers park on the promenade or on pavements, showing no concern for pedestrians, or else they park on double yellow lines and block the bus routes.
Yeah, absolutely. People really care about potholes. They don’t really care at all about how the wardens look.
My personal parking peeve currently is parking on green verges, ripping up the ground underneath and damaging them to a fine dust. Tactical use of street furniture has been my weapon against this one!
Wardens get a lot of tickets out in our area, they are pretty nice people about it. I can see why body cameras are helpful for their safety. Some people are vile.