Sainsbury's 'fines drivers £7,000' over car park rules

In July, Sainsbury’s confirmed it was installing automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras at its Bath Road branch in Chippenham, to catch those breaking the rules at the large car park.

A two-hour time limit is currently in place at the store, reduced to 10 minutes outside of opening hours, which Sainsbury’s says is to ensure customers can find somewhere to park.

Signs warn that anyone breaking these restrictions will be fined £85.

In a report to Chippenham Town Council, Wiltshire Police has since revealed it advised the retailer to introduce measures to discourage overnight car meets on the site.

The force added that, in the five weeks that followed the introduction of the cameras, fines amounting to £7,000 had been issued to drivers.

READ MORE: ANPR cameras installed to catch rulebreakers at supermarket car park

Sainsbury's in Chippenham (Image: Newsquest) A spokesperson said: “The Neighbourhood Policing Team has implemented a problem-oriented policing plan to address anti-social behaviour involving vehicles gathering in car parks and reckless driving along key routes, such as the A350 and Hungerdown Lane.

“Following advice, Sainsbury’s has successfully introduced ANPR cameras within the car park, issuing fines to drivers who exceed the two-hour parking limit or stay longer than ten minutes after 10pm.

“These measures have proven highly effective, with £7,000 in fines issued within the first five weeks, completely stopping gatherings in this car park.

“However, the Neighbourhood Policing Team is now receiving complaints regarding similar issues at Morrisons' car park.”

This latest report comes following a long running campaign to crack down on anti-social car meets in some of the town’s larger car parks.

In April, Sgt Jamie Ball revealed the force was working with supermarkets and other businesses to avoid large scale gatherings in the area.

SEE ALSO: Update on police crackdown on anti-social car meets in Wiltshire town

Sainsbury's in Chippenham (Image: Newsquest) Sainsbury’s said it was unable to verify the figure provided by the police and added that ANPR cameras were introduced at the site to help make sure customers could find parking spaces.

When the chain first announced its plans for a crackdown on parking at the site, a spokesperson said: “To ensure everyone can find a parking space when they need one, we are introducing a time limit in the car park of our Chippenham store.

“Customers will continue to be able to park for free for up to two hours while the store is open, and we are adding signs throughout the car park which explain this.”

Wiltshire Police was contacted for further comment.