Police community support officers have handed out twice as many traffic fines as penalties for antisocial behaviour, figures show.

Last year, Oxfordshire’s 147 Pcsos raised £145,740 by handing out 4,858 fines for a range of traffic violations like illegal parking.

During the same period they dished out 2,534 penalty notices for disorder, including criminal damage and being drunk and disorderly — totalling £126,000.

Chief Supt Brendan O’Dowda, Oxfordshire’s commander, said Pcsos focused on traffic crime because public surveys revealed it was a major concern for residents.

Mr O’Dowda added: “Pcsos continue to develop over time and in addition to them now attending different types of crime to provide visibility, reassurance and advice, they are now able to deal with a number of quality of life offences by way of penalty notices for disorder.

“On almost all of the 78 neighbourhoods across the county, issues such as speeding, unlawful parking and antisocial behaviour are common issues the public are telling us blight their neighbourhood.

“Our Pcsos will issue penalty notices in line with these priorities, for example, public order linked to antisocial behaviour, and no-waiting linked to illegal parking.”

The fines included 3,296 for parking in no-waiting areas and 657 for causing an obstruction.

They also issued 194 fines for vandalism and 198 for being drunk and disorderly.

A survey of 52 neighbourhood action groups provided by Thames Valley Police showed none listed parking as a number one priority.

But around half of all top three neighbourhood priorities were traffic-related, ranging from speeding to cycling on the pavement.

Andy Viney, secretary of Thames Valley Police Federation, said: “The reality of the situation is they are addressing neighbourhood concerns.

“They are responding to what the public want them to do – and in most areas this is parking and speeding issues.

“I don’t think it is a misuse but we should maybe be asking why these traffic offences are not coming under the powers of the local authority which it should be.”

Former Home Secretary David Blunkett introduced Pcsos to the streets six years ago.

He said: “It’s difficult to second-guess the rationale of using community support officers in relation to parking and traffic, but my intentions were always they should be used for preventative measures and as part of the neighbourhood beat team, in close conjunction with the uniformed officers. I presume Oxford has its own traffic wardens?”

Since changes in the law in 1999, Oxfordshire County Council is responsible for on-street parking and police can enforce traffic crimes if there is a criminal offence such as parking on zebra crossings and causing an obstruction.

Off-street car parks in Oxford are enforced by Oxford City Council and across Oxfordshire by district councils.

mwilkinson@oxfordmail.co.uk