Violent drivers in Bradford

Verbal or physical attacks on parking wardens are running at an average of more than one a week since they went on patrol in March last year. Police have had to be called in on 26 occasions when drivers’ tempers have frayed.

There have been about 80 incidents of violence against wardens, according to Council figures over the last 13 months. Sixteen of those involved physical assault and 19 racial abuse. A total of 73 of the incidents also involved verbal abuse.

Last week the Telegraph & Argus reported how customer care advisor Javed Shah became so angry with a civil enforcement officer taking a photograph of his illegally-parked vehicle that he slapped the camera out of her hand.

The case followed a similar incident in August when irate motorist Irfan Zaib drove into a traffic officer to avoid a parking ticket. The court heard how the Volkswagen Polo mounted the kerb and struck Mr Hellens, before being reversed and driven off.