Information
FOI Request 20022026-1 – Data Relating to Traffic Fines
Request
“information held by your authority for the periods:
1 January to 31 December 2024
1 January to 31 December 2025
Please provide a breakdown of the data for each council area or enforcement district within your authority’s jurisdiction, where applicable.
For each council area / district, please provide:
Total driving and parking fines
The total number of driving and parking fines issued during each period, along with the month in each period that recorded the highest number of fines.
Types of fines issued
A breakdown of fines issued by type during each period, including where applicable:
- Parking offences (e.g. no valid ticket, overstaying, double yellow lines)
- Obstructive parking offences (including dropped kerbs)
- Bus lane offences
- Yellow box junction offences
- Red route offences
- Moving traffic offences (e.g. banned turns, no entry violations)
Please include the total number issued for each fine type and indicate which fine type was most common in each period.
Age groups
Where data is held, the number of fines issued during each period to drivers in the following age groups:
- Under 25 years old
- 25–64 years old
- 65 years old and over
Gender
Where data is held, the number of fines issued during each period, broken down by gender.
Repeat fines
Where available, the number of individuals who received more than one driving or parking fine within the same period.
Seasonal trends
Monthly totals for driving and parking fines during each period, to identify any seasonal patterns.”
Response
I have reviewed the information held by the Office of the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (OPFCC) and can confirm that the OPFCC does not hold information for the dates you have specified.
The Road Traffic Act 1991 created the legal mechanism for decriminalised parking enforcement (DPE), enabling local authorities to apply to take over parking enforcement from the police. Key features include:
- Parking offences in designated areas become civil, not criminal, contraventions.
- Local authorities may issue Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) rather than criminal fines.
- Authorities are permitted to retain PCN revenues to fund enforcement and transport improvements.
The Traffic Management Act 2004 (Part 6) consolidated and expanded civil enforcement powers:
- Establishes a single framework for civil enforcement of parking, waiting restrictions, bus lanes, and some moving traffic offences.
- Extends London‑style civil enforcement powers to authorities outside London.
- Addresses gaps in earlier legislation and strengthens traffic regulation to support congestion management and road safety.
The two local authorities in Northamptonshire may hold some of the information requested and can be contacted by using the following links:
North Northamptonshire Council – https://www.northnorthants.gov.uk/corporate-governance-and-information/freedom-information-foi
West Northamptonshire Council – https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/access-information/make-freedom-information-foi-request
Some offences remain under police enforcement, including:
- Parking on red routes
- Parking on pedestrian crossings / zig‑zags
- Certain obstruction‑related contraventions
However, it is important to understand that The OPFCC and Northamptonshire Police are two separate legal entities. Information regarding operational policing matters is the responsibility of Northamptonshire Police, therefore the OPFCC does not hold any of the information you have requested.
Northamptonshire Police’s Information Unit may hold some of the information you are seeking. If you have not already done so, then you may wish to write to their Freedom of Information and Data Protection Team, Information Unit, Force Headquarters, Wootton Hall, Northampton, NN4 0JQ / [email protected]
