Cars crushed if tickets not paid

Drivers who refuse to pay parking fines in Leicester are being warned by the city council their cars will be crushed unless debts are settled.

In 2008, Leicester City Council had 3,926 outstanding unpaid fines with the most prolific debtor owing �10,000.

Andy Thomas, the council's road traffic manager, said a small minority had to learn they had to pay their fines.

If parking tickets are unpaid, the vehicle will be towed to a compound and crushed after 90 days.

Even if the car is crushed, the debt will remain if payment has not been made.

Mr Thomas said: "We're talking about people who lie, who cheat, people who spoil it for everyone else, people who give false information and don't register a car whey actually live.

"You have got to pay or you will lose your car."

Criminal prosecutions cannot be brought against people who do not pay parking fines as enforcement is covered by civil law and because of data protection laws, offenders cannot be named and shamed by the council.

In 2008, 50,000 parking tickets were given out in Leicester and 250 vehicle owners refused to pay.

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