THURROCK Council has defended the right of its traffic enforcement officers to park where they want, including on double yellow lines and other places where they would issue tickets to 'ordinary' motorists.

The authority was responding to Thurrock Nub News in the wake of a public condemnation of its officers after pictures on social media showed them parking on double yellow lines in Stifford Clays, while going about their business and issuing fines to motorists for doing the same thing.

It is reported they even issued a ticket to a parked ambulance!

In the wake of the outcry Thurrock Nub News contacted the council and pointed out that there was space to park the council vehicle in a non contentious place just a few yards away but the response, which is unattributed, says the officers can park where they wish.

The council says: "Under the Traffic Regulation Order 2017, civil enforcement officers are permitted to park their vehicles in areas where parking restrictions exist when they are inspecting vehicles within the immediate vicinity, enabling them to take quick and efficient action.

"As can be seen in the images provided, the officers are in the vicinity of their parked vehicle."