PARENTS who continue to park dangerously around a primary school are being warned their cars could be seized.

Police are increasing patrols at Stanford Primary School, Stanford-le-Hope, after receiving complaints about parents parking illegally.

In April, police were called to the area after residents and pedestrians said lives were being put at risk as parents were parking across drives, in the middle of roads and on crossings.

A week ago, drivers began to flout the law again, forcing police to send out letters to the parents.

PC Rachel Birrane said: “We have tried on countless occasions to stop this problem. There are safety reasons why you are not allowed to park outside schools.

“We will issue section 59 warnings to anyone blocking the school gates or parking on yellow zigzags.”

Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 is concerned with the antisocial use of vehicles.

This gives police the power to seize vehicles which are considered a menace, if warnings are ignored, and can lead to prosecution.

Police said the main problem at the school was parents who parked in front of the school gates. This makes it dangerous and virtually impossible for emergency vehicles to get to the school.

Once again, reports have been received of motorists parking over residents’ driveways and in the bus stop in Copland Road.

Patrols around the school will be stepped up during the worst affected times over the next few weeks.