THE borough’s first spy car is fining an average of ten motorists a day.

The car - called Pippa (Park It Properly, Prevent Accidents) - has dished out 1,199 penalty charges since her launch in June.

The council says the CCTV vehicle targets Thurrock’s schools looking for parents who aren’t parking properly.

Yet out of the 1,199 fines given out so far, only 153 have been issued outside schools.

Angie Gaywood, the borough’s portfolio holder for parking enforcement, said: ”There is no need to park thoughtlessly or dangerously when dropping off or picking up children.

“Unfortunately we all know some people don’t do that and they are putting young lives at risk, that is why we are targeting the school run times.

“During the first four months the car made 578 visits to Thurrock’s 50-odd schools, during the morning and afternoon school runs. It recorded 153 school-related parking contraventions.”

The car, currently on a six-month trial at the cost of £130,000, will be patrolling the streets until December when the council will decide whether to keep Pippa.

Ms Gaywood added: “The parking enforcement officers simply cannot get to as many schools or physically issue as many notices and therefore they cannot be as effective a deterrent.”

However Becky Lax, one of many residents who had their say about Pippa on the Thurrock Gazette’s Facebook page, said: “130,000 on a spy car?

“That could pay for five traffic wardens who would do a better job at catching the culprits outside schools.”

To recoup the £130,000 cost of the trial, the car will need to spot and penalise 3,724 motorists in six months... that would be an average of 29 tickets a day.

A report on the six-month trial is due to be made to the council’s cabinet before Christmas.