Call to disband the French 'traffic wardens' who operate like a private 'militia'
Their role is in theory simply to hand out parking tickets. But in one French town traffic wardens have taken on a controversial role as members of a mobile security unit who evict squatters, police demonstrations and search members of the public, while some have been seen carrying tear gas sprays. Now, after a string of violent incidents involving the supposed parking enforcement officials, the ministry of the interior has been urged to disband what some claim has become little more than the local mayor's private political police force. Louise Fessard reports.
InIn theory their role is similar to that of traffic wardens or parking enforcement officers. But municipal parking agents in one suburban town near Paris stand accused of operating a mobile security patrol that behaves like a parallel police force. The minister of the interior and the justice minister have now been urged to close the group down.
