THREATS and assaults on traffic wardens in Tendring are on the increase, particularly around schools, parking bosses have said.

The extent of the problem was revealed following the latest incident this week when two female civil enforcement officers working for Tendring District Council (TDC) were threatened by an angry motorist.

One of the officers involved in the incident outside Burrsville Infants School in Craigfield Avenue, Great Clacton, had a car door slammed on her arm and was told she would have her “face smashed in”.

There have been more than 40 incidents of threats of violence or assaults on traffic wardens in the past year.

These have included death threats and an officer being struck with a walking stick.

Ian Taylor, who is in charge of parking at TDC, said the council faced particular problems around schools.

“We patrol in those areas when we are asked to do so and I resent any suggestion that we patrol schools to pick up tickets,” he said.

“In fact we rarely give out penalty charge notices (PCNs) at schools. TDC has made great efforts to work with the community on parking matters and does not regard parking enforcement as a means to raise revenue.

“The whole point is to ensure safety and prevent congestion for the good of everyone – particularly the children. I am also concerned about the regular use of threats and abusive language used in front of children and the example this sets.”

Nick Turner, cabinet member for technical and procurement services, said he was appalled at some people’s behaviour.

“The officers have a job to do and are responding to a request from the school or residents when they tackle these particular issues,” he said.

“It is not right they should suffer abuse and threats for trying to ensure the safety of children.”

The latest incident happened on Tuesday at around 8.45am in Craigfield Avenue when the two traffic officers spotted a silver BMW stopped on zigzag lines outside the infant school.

The motorist approached the officers as he took his child into school and said that he would “smash their faces in” the next time he saw them out of uniform and used foul language. The incident has been reported to the police.