12 hours Ago
Dozens of violent incidents have been reported involving Brighton and Hove traffic wardens. A Freedom of Information (FOI) request obtained by The Argus has revealed that there have been 36 reported attacks or violent incidents involving the council’s traffic wardens over the past three years. There were 14 reports in 2023, 18 in 2024, and 4 in 2025, with the 2025 figures representing data up to Monday, March 24.
READ : Brighton and Hove City Council traffic wardens to wear body cameras Earlier this year, officers shared their experiences, including verbal abuse and physical attacks. Their stories are backed up by statistics from parking enforcement provider, NSL, which showed that 53 per cent of abuse faced by parking officers had come from uninvolved third parties. Finn Gregory, 25, a parking officer in the city, shared how he was once punched in the back when out on patrol.
He said: “Seemingly out of nowhere someone was talking to me in a nonsensical way. I was already exhausted because I’d been out walking, so my resilience was down. "He tried to grab me on my shoulder and I’m telling him please do not touch me, and I tried to walk away.
And obviously, as I’m walking away, I’m not facing him so he uses that as an opportunity to punch me in my lower back." Finn explained how the attack was unrelated to a vehicle, describing it as 'targeted'. He also shared how he had felt paranoid following the incident and it made him question people’s attitude towards the role.
To deter incidents of abuse, Brighton and Hove City Council introduced body worn video cameras for all officers in July 2023. The can capturing evidence to support prosecutions against violent or abusive behaviour. In February 2024, Civil Enforcement Officers also began wearing a new uniform patch promoting a "no excuse for abuse" message.
Additionally, in July 2024, the council and North Essex Partnership received funding from PATROL to launch a marketing campaign aimed at tackling misconceptions about Civil Enforcement Officers, promoting respect and empathy through real-life stories and local videos. The council also says it is in ongoing conversations with Sussex Police, around collaborating and making the streets safer for Civil Enforcement officers..
