Police are continuing to step up their fight against motorists who flout parking rules in a Suffolk town.

Patrols in Stowmarket have increased following a rise in the number of complaints officers received.

Residents have told police about vehicles being left which have caused roads to be obstructed. County councillor for Stowmarket North and Stowupland, Gary Green, said parking had been an issue for a number of years.

“As police say they are stepping up their patrols and there has always been a problem,” he said. “But is ticketing the answer? I do not know. We have been doing it for years and people still do it.

“I think we need to look at some long-term solution. A lot of people do not abuse parking but it does seem to be the same people who are doing it.”

County councillor for Stowmarket South, Stephen Searle, said there was an issue with disabled blue-badge holders parking in spaces which are now restricted 24-hours-a-day.

He said he was trying to work with the authorities to improve the problem.

Suffolk Highways advised blue badge holders to use the 14 marked disabled bays in the town. Ipswich Street and Market Place are both part of a restricted zone where drivers cannot park unless in the designated bays.

There had been concerns about groups of youngsters gathering in the town centre at night with their vehicles.

In September police were praised for cracking down on drivers caught making illegal turns and ignoring parking rules in the town.

Officers issued more than 70 fines to drivers following pressure from the town council. Police believed the action also served to reduce the risk to pedestrians from moving vehicles.

The town council has discussed balloting homeowners to see if they would back parking permits.

Councillors believe the move could combat motorists parking in streets surrounding the town centre who cause a nuisance for residents.