Guarding your parking space with traffic cones will soon have the spot filled with a police car, officers have warned.

Surrey Police have warned Spelthorne residents trying to guard their parking spaces to stop putting ones and other barriers up on what are public roads.

Spelthorne PC Mike Pritchard said thoughtless residents were creating dangerous conditions on roads all over the borough.

"Some people strongly believe that the part of public road outside their property belongs to them," PC Pritchard, Spelthorne casualty reduction officer, said.

"They are placing cones and barriers in the road to reserve their own parking spaces which they have no right to do.

"The law is quite clear and only allows police officers or persons appointed by the police to place cones on the highway for whatever purpose, usually connected with events or emergencies.

"Secondly they are causing a potential danger to other road users.

"There is legislation in place to deal with offenders which the police can use, ultimately leading to the arrest of offenders.

"We would like to work with local residents, firstly by advising them of their actions, and to prevent any unnecessary obstructions to local roads.

"However, if there is evidence of persistent offenders then they will be dealt with."

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