Street wardens employed by local councils in the UK have been accused of employing deceptive and discriminatory tactics, including targeting vulnerable individuals and engaging in racial profiling to issue fines for minor offenses. An undercover investigation by The Mail on Sunday into 3GS, a prominent private enforcement company, has brought these alleged practices to light.
Enforcement officers are reportedly trained to identify and intimidate vulnerable members of the public, such as patients rushing to appointments outside hospitals, into paying fines that can amount to £175 for dropping a cigarette butt. The investigation also uncovered allegations of officers being advised to conceal their company badges with camera recorders to obscure their contractor status and to lie to tourists about being unable to leave the country without paying fines.
During a trial shift with 3GS in Bristol, an undercover reporter was allegedly warned that a minimum of five fines per shift were required to keep the job. The company, which contracts with councils for environmental enforcement services, insists it acts ethically and reinvests profits into education. However, the investigation found that staff are promised bonuses of up to £7,200 annually for issuing fines beyond a daily target, despite company claims of not paying commission. A senior manager reportedly stated that the business model relies on issuing fixed penalties for revenue generation and that staff are encouraged to be "proactive."
Councils do not pay 3GS directly for its services; instead, the firm retains the majority of the revenue from fines, with councils receiving a percentage, reportedly around 25%. In Bristol alone, approximately 500 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) are issued monthly.
During the undercover operation, officers allegedly targeted elderly individuals and a mother whose son was undergoing surgery. One 74-year-old grandmother, Diane Goodfield, was fined for dropping a cigarette butt while rushing her husband, who has dementia, to a hospital appointment. She later stated she felt targeted due to her age and that the situation felt like a "money-making racket."
Officers are also reported to have instructed reporters to lie about calling the police to pressure individuals into cooperating. While the police have no role in issuing these fines, officers allegedly threatened to call the police and prosecution for up to £2,500 if individuals refused to provide their details. The undercover reporter was told that officers rarely, if ever, actually call the police, with the threat alone often being enough to secure cooperation.
The investigation also highlighted instances where individuals were fined even after attempting to correct their actions, such as one man who was fined despite picking up his cigarette butt and immediately disposing of it in a bin. Concerns were also raised about alleged racial profiling, with one team leader reportedly describing certain ethnic groups, including students from abroad, as easier targets.
These revelations follow previous controversies involving aggressive enforcement tactics by private wardens, including an incident where two wardens working for Harrow Council were filmed making threats of violence. Bristol City Council has stated it is reviewing the claims made by the investigation and will take further action if any are proven.