COMMUNITY cops have launched a campaign to stamp out inconsiderate parking in Peebles - and handed out 18 tickets.

They have vowed to continue bringing errant motorists to book in a bid to prevent further chaos in the town centre.

Local people are the biggest culprits - one driver was caught twice - and half of the tickets were issued for parking on double yellow lines. The parking blitz comes after several community leaders warned that something needed to be done before visitors were driven away from Peebles. Many have called for a return of traffic wardens as a solution.

PC Diane Sorrell told a meeting of Peebles Community Council: “Our new community sergeant wants us to try to give parking more attention.

“We have issed a lot more tickets recently and we hope this will leave a message to people. We have targeted shop owners who are flouting the regulations.

“We plan to continue doing this as much as we can, though it does take up a lot of our time.” Tweeddale East councillor Stuart Bell said: “We really need to get the message across that it’s local people who are causing the problems.

“I was astonished recently when I was in Peebles and I watched a car owner double park go into a shop, finish his errand and then jump back in his car as if everything was ok. I glared at him but he just ignored me. It’s so inconsiderate and it needs to stop.” Community council planning chairman Crick Carleton said: “The locals know where the parking spots are. On Facebook there was a post warning people to beware that the police were issuing tickets - and there is still this underlying thing that it’s something you should try to get away with.” Tweeddale East councillor Graham Garvie described the errant parkers’ behaviour as “outrageous” and added: “Parking on double yellow lines is dangerous and people should be ashamed.

Tweeddale West councillor Wille Archibald said: “People should realise that if there is an accident and they are parked illegally nearby they could be held responsible for it.” John Crawley, elected as a new member of the community council at the meeting, suggested that loading bays for commercial vehicles could be made available to make it easier for shop deliveries.