GWENT Police workers found themselves on the wrong side of the law for parking illegally.

Bosses were forced to take action against members of their their own staff after employees parked illegally around the force headquarters site in Croesyceiliog.

This week alone seven parking tickets were issued to staff. An email from Inspector James Baker to council workers, based near the site, said he has instructed his staff to issue warning notices this week to vehicles parked illegally.

He said if the problem continues after that a "robust enforcement policy" will be brought in.

The moves come after a considerable number of complaints were made about off-site parking, particularly on the busy Turnpike Road.

Cars parked on the road have been causing obstruction and congestion. Torfaen councillor for Croesyceiliog South Marlene Thomas said the stretch between the County Hall building and the police headquarters was particularly crowded, though the problem spreads right along the road and also to side roads. She said the police car park was not big enough for the staff who work there.

Mrs Thomas, who is on the monitor board for the day-to-day management of the council building, said: "The issue comes up in practically every meeting.

"Parking and obstruction is a matter of concern. "We have always suspected it was the police who were parking there." A police spokesman said: "There are a number of other organisations in the area as well as the police, and this can create problems during peak periods.

"On occasions, when they are unable to find alternatives, people have resorted to parking illegally and concerns have quite rightly been raised about safety.

"As a responsible employer, we have taken steps to advise our own staff that they should not contribute to the problem.

"Police employees must act within the law like everyone else." Inspector Baker said he will be reviewing the tickets given to police staff because they were issued before they received his instructions.