MOTORISTS who park on yellow lines in the Malvern Hills area could be taking more of a risk in future.

The task of issuing tickets and fines could soon be transferred from police to the district council, under a proposal put forward by Coun Alex Stewart-Cleary (Malvern Chase).

Coun Stewart-Cleary said he had received many complaints about dangerous parking in Barnards Green, Church Street and Malvern Link and has asked council officers to examine the case for change.

"I think it's something which as a council we have got to look at," he said. "We have problems throughout Malvern and if the police can't help people then it's our job to step in. The district council has a responsibility to ensure the safety of the community."

Coun Stewart-Cleary said he had asked council officers to examine data from Herefordshire, where the unitary authority has just taken responsibility for car parking enforcement. He said the council would be able to collect revenue from fines, which could allow them to bring down other charges such as car parks.

Mick Morris, parking manager at Herefordshire Council, said it was becoming more and more common for parking offences to become "decriminalised".

"Several London boroughs, along with Bristol, Newport and Cardiff, have all done it because police have said they just don't have the resources," he said.

"There were only three traffic wardens covering the whole county before we took it on. People were parking all day in one-hour stay spots in the city centre and it has a detrimental effect on trade because it denies people the opportunity to use the space."

Chief Inspector Martin Lakeman said parking was enforced in the Malvern area, as many knew to their cost.

He said: "In the past month, action has been taken by police in connection with 124 traffic offences, in addition to tickets issued traffic wardens. However, our priorities will continue to be helping members of the public in difficulty ahead of enforcing on-street parking."