Police Worker Disciplined Over Speeding Tickets 'Shambles'

A Lancashire police worker has received a warning after a "shambles" which led to 2,115 speeding tickets being cancelled.

The worker was cleared of dishonesty and breaching the code of conduct on performance of duties, but found guilty of making mistakes after an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

The Commission said the failing in the force's Central Processing Unit resulted in a "total shambles".

It is understood one person was given an oral warning, while a second was moved from the unit.

From July 2006 to October 2007, around 60% of the certificates produced daily from the proof of postage forms were found to be missing or wrong, the IPCC said.

As a result of this 2,115 were cancelled.

Naseem Malik, the IPCC Commissioner for the North West, said: "The recognised procedures for the production of these particular forms within the Central Process Unit would appear to have descended into total shambles and, as a result, forms which were required were either missing or incorrect.

"This was totally unacceptable.

"This failure, whether it was down to incompetence, misunderstanding or pressures of works resulted in a large number of tickets having to be withdrawn.

"However, it is pleasing to see that, once the failings were identified, Lancashire Constabulary took fast and robust action to tighten up this particular process to ensure its integrity going forward."

A spokesman for Lancashire police also said the Constabulary has "an exception that their staff delivers a totally professional service to the public".

He added they would continue to take "a strong and robust approach to improve standards within the organisation".

(JM/BMcc)