Police in Bury St Edmunds cracked down on illegal parking in the town this week by issuing 117 fixed penalty notices in one day.

The purge came after a number of complaints from members of the public about town centre parking and the Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) enforced the penalties on Tuesday, November 14.

Areas targeted in the clampdown included St Andrew’s Street South, Angel Hill and Westgate Street and St John’s Street.

The SNT has issued 184 parking tickets so far this month as PCSOs look to crack down on people parking illegally in Bury St Edmunds.

Aaron Etti, PCSO, said: “All 117 tickets were issued on that day due to all PCSOs being out all day on shift doing tickets.

“SNT at Bury St Edmunds are cracking down on illegal parking in Bury St Edmunds.

“Due to resources it can sometimes be difficult and SNT at Bury St Edmunds are just as frustrated with the parking as the public are.”

St Edmundsbury police tweeted on November 14: “Responding to complaints the SNT have issued 117 fixed penalty notices for illegal parking today.

“Thank you for all of the positive support given from members of public.”

Parking in Bury St Edmunds continues to be a key issue in the town – and was highlighted in the draft town centre masterplan consultation.

Parking issues raised in the draft document to help improve the town centre were given as: Widespread illegal parking, lack of choice over long stay/short stay options, insufficient parking provision, cost of parking and road layout.

Options for St Edmundsbury Borough Council to consider were stated as: Review parking charges, improve enforcement especially on-street, introduce pay on exit parking, provide free parking for first half hour, enhance existing provision to make it more attractive, and consider provision of more parking to serve the town.

The draft town centre working group met on Monday and it is understood that the document will go to the full cabinet for a decision in December.

Previously, consultants commissioned by the borough council found there would need to be at least 500 new spaces in place in the town within the next eight years.