(posted 7223 days ago)Traffic wardens in gun terror
Jul 9 2004South London Press
TWO terrified traffic wardens were threatened with a gun and told they would be shot for issuing a parking ticket.The wardens were patrolling the streets when a gunman approached them and asked if they had put a ticket on his car.
He told the petrified wardens he was going to shoot them with his black handgun if they had.
The armed thug struck in Kennington, as the wardens began their morning shift.
The gunman approached a female warden in Langley Lane, and showed her a black handgun, tucked in his waistband.
He asked if the terrified attendant had given him a parking ticket and said he would shoot her if she had.
The frightened parking attendant told the man she had not issued any tickets in the area and he left to track down other wardens.
He then came across a male parking attendant and after showing him the long-barrelled handgun, tucked in his trousers, made an identical threat.
He then warned that the warden would be shot if he returned to the area to issue parking tickets.
The terrified wardens left the scene and police were called. Armed officers swooped on the area but the gunman had disappeared.
Lambeth police are investigating the incident which occurred around 8.30am last Friday. The wardens have both been offered counselling.
Control Plus, Lambeth council's parking contractor, is said to be considering issuing stab vests to all of its wardens to improve their personal security.
A spokeswoman for Control Plus told the South London Press: "Following the recent serious incident, Control Plus followed protocol and informed the emergency services.
"We are co-operating with the police on this matter. Violence or threat of violence is a real problem which we take very seriously."
The gunman is described as black, in his 30s, 5ft 8in tall, with a large Afro hairstyle. Anyone who may have information regarding the incident should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.