The Elmbridge Community Safety Partnership is warning motorists about the dangers of parking on pedestrian crossings.

Pedestrian crossing penalties nearly doubled in Elmbridge in the 2009-10 financial year, with 116 offences recorded.

This was compared with 62 recorded offences in the previous financial year.

A spokesman for the partnership, made from organisations including Elmbridge Council, Surrey County Council, Surrey Police and NHS Surrey, said vehicles parking on the zigzag lines either side of a pedestrian crossing are liable to be seen on CCTV.

Operators can then pass this footage on to Surrey Police, who will decide whether to prosecute.

If motorists are found guilty, they could pay a fine of £60, as well as having three penalty points put on their licence.

Peter Kipps, the Elmbridge community safety partnership manager, said: “Parking on a pedestrian crossing can seriously endanger life, because it blocks the views of the driver and pedestrian.

“The community safety team in Elmbridge will continue to monitor the pedestrian crossings and report those who choose to ignore the restrictions.”