Police driver slated for parking in disabled bay

November 12, 2009

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UNDER fire: This police car was spotted parked in a disabled space at Sainsbury’s in Ashton. Police are now investigating the circumstances.

A DISABLED shopper was outraged to find a police car parked in a bay reserved for blue badge holders at a supermarket.

Angela Hillson – who suffers from arthritis in the spine and knees – was so appalled that she took a picture of the vehicle parked at Sainsbury’s on Ashton Moss on her camera phone.

Blue badge holder Mrs Hillson, a former nurse at Tameside Hospital, said: "It’s very annoying – they should not be above the law. Anyone else caught parking in the bay when they should not be without a blue badge would face a £50 fine, but if the bays are near the cash points it’s very tempting."

Mrs Hillson, 57, from Ashton, took her picture of the offending white-coloured four-door hatchback at 5.09pm on Saturday 24 October.

"GMP is currently working to establish the identity of the officer concerned and is investigating the circumstances," said a police spokeswoman. "If the officer had no justifiable reason for parking in the space appropriate action will be taken.

"All GMP officers are advised with regard to their responsibilities when parking their vehicle and they should keep this in mind at all times."

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Showing comments 1 to 8 and replies | View All

CorneredAllTheLuck, Tameside (13/11/2009 at 01:29)

They couldn't care less!

204098, Manchester (13/11/2009 at 16:14)

Whilst i completely disagree with this officer parking in the disabled bay, and i hope that GMP identifiy him/her and take action (if the officer did not have a legitimate reason to park there), I do wonder whether Mrs Hillson (and also corneredalltheluck) are equally outraged by average joes parking in the disabled bays or whether this is just an excuse to police bash? Every time i visit a supermarket the disabled bays are full of cars that do not display a blue badge. Many of them are vehicles with company names emblazoned all over them. I wonder if Mrs Hillson takes photos of them to send to their employers?

CorneredAllTheLuck, Tameside (13/11/2009 at 20:11)

No it's not just an excuse to police bash, they should know better.

on me 'ed, dukinfield (16/11/2009 at 07:01)

What's the betting a 'legitimate reason' for them parking there is forthcoming?

Dawn , Hyde (16/11/2009 at 15:06)

the picture would have been better if the number plate was on it......

204098, Manchester (16/11/2009 at 16:56)

on me 'ed - i used to work in a supermarket and we used to call the police out at least once a day to deal with shoplifters. Quite often the shoplifters were none too happy about being asked to hang around for the police so we would request the police get there asap. The officers would sometimes park in the disabled bays as they were closest. i would consider this a legitimate reason.

Of Denton, Tameside (18/11/2009 at 16:35)

i'm surprised he was allowed out of the Station - i didn't think the police were allowed out in public anymore.

oohmatron, North West (18/11/2009 at 18:14)

Mrs Hillson makes comment about cash machines. Did she see the officer using a cash point? Of course the reason for parking here clearly needs to be looked into. If it were for a particular police related incident though, I just hope Mrs Hillson doesn't ever need to phone the Police in a hurry because they may need to find a "legitimate" place to park near her house.

Thanks also Tameside Advertiser for your description of the vehicle in question. It's cleared it up for me.

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