Council leader Ergin Erbil recently joined officers on patrol to see them issuing penalty charges for illegal parking

Council leader Ergin Erbil (centre) with parking enforcement offices at Enfield Civic Centre (credit Enfield Council)

Enfield Council leader Ergin Erbil says the authority is “stepping up” its efforts to combat illegal parking in the borough – as the latest new enforcement officers hit the streets.

A Dispatch investigation earlier this year revealed the huge scale of pavement parking and other illegal activity by drivers in Enfield, with Cllr Erbil responding by promising a crackdown.

The number of enforcement officers employed by council parking contractor NSL is now rising to 50, up from 36 at the start of the year. And the number of officers patrolling the borough’s streets at any one time, from Monday to Saturday, is now up to 24.

Cllr Erbil said: “We have listened to our residents’ concerns, particularly from parents pushing children in prams, wheelchair users and those with mobility issues, who are severely affected by illegal parking on footways. We have responded by recruiting more CEOs [civil enforcement officers].

“We will also step-up patrols in areas where we see repeated parking offences.”

Cllr Erbil also recently joined the officers on patrol to see their work in action for himself.

“I was delighted to be invited to meet our CEOs, and to find out more about the important work they do to provide a safer Enfield for everyone,” the council leader said.

“Unfortunately, CEOs often face verbal and sometimes physical abuse when carrying out their job. I would like to make it clear the council will take the strongest possible action against anyone who assaults or abuses our CEOs while they are carrying out their duties.

“Assaults are always reported to the police for action.”

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