A policy giving the benefit of the doubt to first time parking offenders is being withdrawn by Sutton Council.

It was agreed at a meeting of the council's executive on Monday that the “First Strike” policy be removed.

The policy previously gave the benefit of doubt, on the first occasion, to drivers who received a fine for not displaying a parking ticket but were later able to produce a valid ticket for that time period.

Going forwards, if there is no ticket on the windscreen and no record of using the council's new cashless ticket method, the driver will be fined regardless of whether they later produce a ticket.

A Sutton Council spokesman said: “It is fair that drivers who do not either display a ticket or pay over the phone for parking in council car parks can receive a fine.

“We will still be reasonable and the appeals process is available if there are reasons why you think you should not have been given a ticket.”