CONTROVERSIAL “spy cars” could soon be patrolling the streets of north Essex.

Parking bosses believe problems with parents parking dangerously outside schools have become so widespread, that CCTV cars must be introduced.

The cars, fitted with cameras and automatic number plate recognition systems, travel around neighbourhoods and film cars parked illegally.

The North Essex Parking Partnership, which sends 62 civil enforcement officers to cover the streets of Colchester, Tendring, Braintree, Uttlesford and Harlow, will decide whether to acquire one or two cars at a meeting on Thursday.

Bailiff firm Equita has offered to supply and run a CCTV car in return for £17.50 per fine issued.

Richard Walker, parking manger for North Essex Parking Partnership, said he received more complaints about dangerous parking outside the 301 schools on his patch than anything else.

A report said wardens could only reach each school once a term on average – not enough to deter motorists ignoring the rules. Mr Walker said: “It’s not a decision we take lightly, but children’s safety is of paramount importance.

“We’re doing this to get round to more places so we’re able to make them safer. That’s the top priority for us.

“If I have to deploy that many civil enforcement officers, it would start to cost that much more taxpayers’ money. A car is a much more efficient way of getting round.”

Will Quince, leader of Colchester Council’s opposition Conservatives, said he feared it could end up in the interests of the council and Equita to issue as many fines as possible. He said: “There is no question we have issues with parking around certain schools which need to be resolved, but driver education and deterrent must be put ahead of financial punishment.

“Parking enforcement is there to resolve parking issues and address dangerous parking, not act as a cash cow for the council.”

Mr Walker insisted the final decision on whether to issue a penalty charge notice would be made by local authority staff based at the partnership’s headquarters.

He said the cars would only be used in areas where there were no reasons to park – not outside shops where loading legitimately takes place, for instance. Fines could also be appealed, he added.

Janet Meacock, headteacher at Millfields Primary School in Wivenhoe, said parents parking in the wrong places posed problems for many schools – especially those in residential areas.

She said: “I’m in favour of anything that can help improve parking around the neighbourhood.”

Parents waiting for their children at Stanway Fiveways Primary School had mixed views on the proposal.

Danielle Ashcroft, 30, from St Michael’s, said: “I do think it’s a little invasion of privacy. It is a bit much, but I know there has been a problem. There are a lot of parents parking on double yellow lines, and the lines are there for a reason.”