A DRIVER has had to pay £200 for parking his van in front of a mobile speed camera.

Jason Sayers, 47, was arrested by officers after parking his vehicle in front of the Northumbria Police van in Keir Hardie Way, Sunderland, in January.

He was summonsed to court for obstructing a police officer but failed to attend and a warrant was issued.

Sayers was arrested later by police and has now been made to pay £201 after admitting the offence at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court on Monday, the force said.

The driver, of Hendon Close, Sunderland, was ordered to pay a fine of £86, as well as a victim surcharge of £30 and £85 in costs, and now has a criminal record.

Following the case, Pc Pete Burke, team leader of Northumbria Police's Camera Enforcement Unit, said the mobile vans were not aimed at making money, and all the speeding fines go to central government.

He said: "I find it astonishing that people would park in front of one of these vans when they are there to help prevent someone from being killed or injured by a speeding driver.

"I have personally seen the devastating effect the loss of a loved one at the hands of a speeding motorist has on family and friends."

The officer added: "Images of this type of incident published on social media gain many likes from similar-minded people and offenders are often praised for their actions.

"Is this really worth a criminal record and any court penalties?

"Would those offering praise take that risk by obstructing a camera themselves? I doubt it."

The following comments were posted on the Northumbria Police Facebook page following their publicising of the case:

  • "How was he obstructing a police officer when they are not police officers in those vans? Also they are money making vans as they put permanent speed cameras up where they are needed not hide behind bushes as I’ve seen them hide before the government just sends them out to hammer drivers as they always do when they need to make a quick few quid for themselves not for the country for their own pockets."
  • "Someone set a go fund me page for him"
  •  "Got what he deserved. What these vans do, but can’t be measured, is improve driver behaviour and slow potentially dangerous motorists down."
  • "So people complain about speed cameras, but if you stick to the speed limit you don't pay anything. Seems simple. Whats the problem?"
  • "So what your actual saying is no one else can park in the lay-by when a speed van is parked there? If the van was positioned better then other road users could also use the lay-by correctly with no issue!"
  • "How dare they obstruct the police's money printing machine? Why don't we ever see these vans around housing estates where there's more pedestrians, kids out playing etc? Always dual carriageways. MONEY MONEY MONEY"
  • "Shocking. Fair enough the van is on double yellows but that's only a parking ticket. These camera vans park where ever they want and that's ok is it. What a load of rubbish. And victim surcharge, I am creased here."
  • "Why can’t you place your speed van on the most notorious sections of the A69 for example on the Haydon Bridge bypass or near the Beltingham turn off which is where there are dozens of dangerous overtaking incidents above the speed limit. It only seems to be parked next to the fixed speed camera at Melkridge. I’d be grateful to hear the reasons. Thank you​"
  • "I am a little confused by the police time being put into defending the actions taken in the comments..."