Service stations up and down the country have been forced to erect signs warning motorists of illegal car-park traders that have been accosting innocent visitors to the service stations on Britain's motorways.
"It has got to be quite a problem," said Carl Parkin, manager of Chigwell services on the M11. "They don't care who they approach, single women, families on day trips. It is getting quite distressing for some travellers, as these individuals can be quite persistent."
Detective Inspector Phil Inns set up a sting operation at Stafford services on the M6.
"I posed as an innocent traveller," he said. "However, I feel that the use of a patrol car may have put off the illegal car-park traders, for not one approached me."
Instead, police are issuing an official warning about the illegal car-park traders.
"If you are approached at a motorway services," said DI Inns, "by somebody offering to sell you a car-park, or enquiring if you have a car-park to sell, please report them to the police, as it is most likely that they do not actually have a car-park to sell, and are just looking to take money off unsuspecting punters."
The Spoof ran it's own sting operation to attempt to catch an illegal trader in the act. Unfortunately, it went slightly wrong, and we are now the proud owners of a Park and Ride lot just outside Bath. It was too good a deal to turn down.
