No-one likes getting a parking ticket but when that happens, most people accept it as just one of those minor frustrations of modern life.

However, there is a small but significant minority who lose all self-control and sense of proportion when they see a warden giving them a ticket.

The appalling behaviour of these motorists is of real concern – with verbal or physical attacks on the Council’s civil enforcement officers running at more than one a week since they took over responsibility for parking enforcement from the police in March of last year.

Even more disturbing is the fact that there have been around 80 instances of violence against wardens and the police have been called 26 times.

Disappointingly, there have also been 19 instances involving racial abuse.

Of course this situation is totally unacceptable, but such condemnation is unlikely to bring about a change of heart in the sort of idiot who is prepared to lash out verbally or physically in such circumstances.

Equally, the fact that wardens cannot take back tickets once they are issued – making such conduct pointless – is unlikely to make a difference to the way they behave.

What might is the threat of court action, which is why the authorities are right to take a tough line and warn that any motorist who reacts in such a way will be prosecuted.