Hundreds handed parking fines at Ramadan markets

Almost 600 fixed penalty notices have now been issued for parking offences near Ramadan street markets in Birmingham, police have said.

West Midlands Police said 283 more people were issued with fixed penalty notices last week, with 303 cars also moved for obstructing the roads.

The force has been policing the street markets on Coventry Road, in Small Heath, following disruption and complaints from local residents last year.

A partnership, involving Birmingham City Council, faith leaders, local businesses and volunteers has been set-up to tackle illegal trading, parking problems and anti-social behaviour in the area.

Ch Insp Haroon Chughtai said the force had seen a "dramatic drop in complaints" since beginning its joint patrols, which was "good to hear".

"We want people observing the holy month of Ramadan to be able to do so peacefully and respectfully," he added.

"Our priority is always to keep families and communities safe and are grateful for the overwhelming support we have received so far."

During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. It began on 11 March and is expected to last for 30 days until 9 April.

Previously, West Midlands Police said 295 people had received fixed penalty notices for parking offences, with about 340 cars moved for obstructing roads.

Sgt Will Maund, of West Midlands Police, told the BBC community feedback in the area had been "really positive" and that there had been fewer complaints.

"The police service has less demand placed on it in relation to those complaints, so certainly the operation has been successful from that point and we want to continue to do that," he added.

"It's a combined approach that has more success this year."

Disorder broke out at the markets last year when police and council staff conducted an operation to deal with illegal street market stalls.

"We haven’t seen any incidents [this year], it’s been welcomed by the local shopkeepers and the local residents and it’s been brilliant," said Aamer Chaudhry, from local mosque Green Lane Masjid, which has also been taking part in the patrols.

Trading Standards officers have also shut down some illegal traders, and drinks that had been sold without a licence have also been confiscated, a police spokesperson said.

The city council has issued a new trading permit for one food outlet, as well as a late-night refreshment licence to a local business.

Tony Quigley, head of Birmingham Trading Standards, said some other traders had inquired about how they could trade legally and that it was a "much nicer atmosphere".

"I think one of the key concerns for us was that people were just setting up anywhere and selling whatever they wanted, and weren’t being compliant with all the regulations that go with the sort of the products that they were selling," he said.

"And to be fair, a lot of the traders said, 'well fair enough, we’ll pack up and leave.'"

Others described the markets, which operate after sunset, as "not as good as last year" due the more visible presence of the authorities.

"Obviously the police have cracked down on like the markets, they’ve made it worse, no one is really able to express their markets, sell what they want to sell,” one man said.

Local businessman Naveed Sadiq said the markets needed to be "regulated", otherwise it was "only a disaster waiting to happen".

“Ramadan is not the time of the month for you to be feasting and to be causing anti-social behaviour," he said.

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