POLICE in Newport targeted illegal parking in the city today.

Gwent Police officers handed out tickets to drivers who had parked illegally in disabled spaces.

The force shared this photograph of three vehicles in a row, all of which were parked in a zone for disabled drivers, but none of which was displaying a blue badge.

Skinner Street and Upper Dock Street were among the areas covered in today's clampdown.

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In January, the South Wales Argus reported on one city councillor who said he was afraid someone in his ward could be killed if illegal parking continued unchallenged.

Councillor Ray Truman (Alway ward) urged Gwent Police to keep their ‘promise’ and enforce the law until they hand over civil parking enforcement powers to Newport City Council on July 1.

Cllr Truman made his comments shortly after two road accidents in his ward.

“We’ve had two nasty accidents," he said back in January. "Somebody is going to get killed, there’s no doubt about it. Something has got to be done."

Responding to the councillor's request, Gwent Police superintendent Ian Roberts said the force was under pressure and was unable to send out officers on a daily basis to attend to parking infractions.

And commenting on today's ticketing of illegally-parked cars, a Gwent Police spokeswoman said: "Police officers are currently responsible for parking enforcement.

"However, this is currently not a policing priority as set by the community.

"Our city centre priorities are reducing anti-social behaviour, working with partners to address issues around begging and homelessness, reducing violence associated with the night time economy, and tackling organised criminality.

"Therefore, parking enforcement is carried out when demand and resources allow."