Shocking video of attack on traffic warden released as widespread abuse uncovered

Traffic enforcement staff, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, recounted daily racism, being grabbed by the throat, driven at and sworn at – even by children as young as seven.

The attack captured on video occurred in Gravesend, where a warden was kicked, punched and left with lasting psychological harm.

A parking enforcement manager at the local authority says the November 2023 incident was the worst his team has had to deal with.

“The guy refused to move, so the officer explained that he’s going to have no other option but to issue a ticket. He issued the ticket, and the guy just literally went berserk,” he said.

“He leapt out of the car, ran over to him, chucked him to the ground, and was punching him on the ground.

“Fortunately, the security guard from B&M and a couple of pedestrians came to his help – it was only then that the guy got off of him, jumped in the car, and drove off.”

Tariq Stanley, now 33, and then of Station Road, Gravesend, was charged with robbery in relation to the attack, having also taken the warden’s phone. He was subsequently jailed for eight months.

The manager said despite the victim being an experienced officer, he found it difficult to recover from the attack and ultimately left his post.

Responses to Freedom of Information requests to each local authority reveal abuse against traffic wardens is a countywide issue.

One council has even given up trying to keep track because of the high frequency.

Data show there were 66 physical attacks on traffic wardens in Kent between 2023 and 2024, including at least three occasions of officers being driven at.

The most dangerous area for the job is Medway, where 42 violent incidents have taken place since 2019. Ashford borough is second with 28, ahead of Gravesham’s 18.

Thanet District Council does not hold records of reports on abuse because “the occurrences are too numerous”, while in Dartford, officers rarely report incidents, instead just tolerating them as “part of their job”.

One enforcement officer, who was grabbed by the throat by a member of the public in 2023, said: “You’ve got to remain professional, but it does take its toll on you.

“The cars are driving at you, people are threatening you, saying I hope your kids die, but you’ve got to kind of swallow it.

“If I reacted how people wanted me to react, I’d be locked up.”

The traffic wardens KentOnline spoke with say most interactions they have with the public are friendly and polite.

They recognise that some people have resentful opinions about the work they do, but explained these views are often based on myths.

Another enforcement officer added: “I think some people’s perception is, we start work and decide, right, let’s go out and earn commission.

“Then we all go out and get as many tickets as possible, but we are not on commission, and there are no targets. We are salaried council employees.”

Asked why, despite the abuse, they choose to do the job, one CEO with 19 years of experience replied: “It gives me the opportunity to help people, advise people, educate people.

“The main aim is to try to keep the flow of traffic moving – giving someone a ticket is really the last resort.”

Officers say when out in uniform, they are often flagged down to give medical assistance (CEOs all have first aid training) or intervene during mental health crises.

But despite this, the verbal abuse and online targeting of traffic wardens continues.

In Canterbury – where there have been at least 54 incidents of verbal abuse recorded since 2019 – one member of the public tracked down and then harassed an officer over a sustained period.

While in Ashford, photos of an officer were uploaded to social media along with an inaccurate account of an interaction, leading to the incitement of violence against them.

A spokesperson for the borough council said: “Not only does this cause distress and embarrassment to our team members, their friends and family members, but it also creates an additional concern for the safety and wellbeing of our team.”

Parking wardens interviewed by KentOnline say they encounter verbal abuse roughly 20 times a day, with some of the worst behaviour experienced during the school run.

“We probably get more verbal abuse at the school patrols than anywhere else,” said one CEO of 11 years.

“That’s from parents with toddlers, parents with small children, kids themselves – all the swear words you can think of.

“I remember about a year ago, I went up to this car that was parked in a disabled bay with no badge, and there’s a kid about seven years old.

“So I go, ‘Where’s your parents?’, and he says, ‘Why don’t you f*** off? Go on, f*** off!’

“Screaming all sorts out the window – horrid little child. It’s only his parents that could educate him to do that.

“Some people bring their kids up like that to have a disregard for anyone in uniform.”

The Gravesham parking enforcement manager says the advent of body-worn cameras has helped somewhat to create a deterrence for abuse.

However, he believes attacks on officers should be taken more seriously and regrets that legislation specifically prohibiting assaults on emergency workers does not cover his team.

“If the same attack had happened against a police officer or a fireman or ambulance driver or paramedic, it would be taken more severely,” he continued.

“So, yeah, that’s a frustration across the industry that these guys that are working in uniform, in partnership with all of the emergency services, but the incidents don’t get treated the same.”