PCSOs criticised over parking row

Alma Floyd was told she risked arrest if she continued to warn customers

People in the Somerset village of Cheddar have passed a vote of no confidence in police community support officers amid a row over parking.

At a parish council meeting, residents said PCSOs were being over-zealous in enforcing parking rules.

One shopkeeper said she was threatened with arrest after pleading with officers not to ticket a customer.

But Supt Gary Davies, from Avon and Somerset Police, said their actions had support of others in the town.

Alma Floyd, who works at Highnam's Dairy, said the 6m-wide pavement outside the store had been used for parking for more than 30 years.

Line of duty

But after a confrontation with PCSOs who were trying to ticket one of her customers, she was stunned to be told she risked arrest.

"I rushed out to say 'don't book them, they're only here for a few minutes', and it led to an argument.

"The following day, the sergeant came out to see us and said we could possibly face arrest for stopping the PCSOs in their line of duty, we mustn't go out and say anything."

Customer Ann Langford said: "I think they are over-zealous in this situation."

Sean Hockley who owns a flooring shop said: "We've had to move out of the High Street because of [delivery] drivers getting hassle, staff getting hassle, everyone getting hassle."

This issue has the full support of a whole range of people in Cheddar Supt Gary Davies

At the parish meeting, councillors abstained while several residents passed a vote of no confidence in the PCSOs.

But Supt Davies said: "Some local people have become embroiled in a dispute over parking and emotions have run high because of that.

"Because some of the emotions have got so high, the local sergeant's taken it upon himself to warn people they can't take the law into their own hands.

"This issue has the full support of a whole range of people in Cheddar who want to solve the problems there."