Slump in tickets issued by new community wardens

East Dunbartonshire Council’s wardens ticketed 448 cars in their first month on the job.

But in the last four weeks just 177 fines were issued - three less than in the first week of decriminalised parking coming into force.

And the falling figures are in spite of three extra wardens recently being employed, with more on the way.

But there were improved figures for dog mess and littering - with one fine for each being recorded compared to a complete blank for the first month.

Evonne Bauer, the council’s community protection manager who issued the figures, said: “Public and trader feedback has been very positive in the town centres, in what has been a very busy time for our wardens.

The summer months always bring an increase in work for our Community Safety Team, with lighter nights and an increased potential for anti-social behaviour.

“As well as acting as a deterrent while on patrol, wardens provide advice and support in the community - helping to pro-actively focus on littering, smoking control and dog fouling.”