AN INFORMER is flagging up illegal parking to the council and landing drivers with fines.

The mystery person has been collaborating with traffic wardens in Rottingdean and helping them to spot people who have left their car in the wrong place.

But traders are furious, saying the snitching is affecting business.

People who have received tickets include those who popped in for a haircut and others who were at a pantomime

Now a strongly worded note has appeared in the window of Blakes Barbers calling the person responsible a “prat” for “sticking his fat nose where it’s not wanted”.

The note states: “I have recently been told by the powers that be that a gentleman in this village spends his day walking around the village looking for illegally parked cars, then rings the wardens when he spots some. As a trader in this village it’s hard enough to earn a living.”

The Argus: Parking tickets issued in Rottingdean following a rapid response call-outParking tickets issued in Rottingdean following a rapid response call-out

Council figures show parking enforcement firm NSL receives a complaint about poor parking in the village at least once every three days.

Since August, 77 calls requesting enforcement in Rottingdean have been received on the firm’s hotline, with 18 tickets issued.

Parking compliance in the village is considered by Brighton and Hove City Council to be “quite good”, with just 162 tickets issued in six months around High Street, West Street and Marine Cliffs.

In discussions with councillors, officers have proposed limiting enforcement to simply responding to calls following concerns too many tickets will deter shoppers.

Ward councillor Lynda Hyde said: “This is causing a major upset in the village, particularly among the traders. I obviously agree people should park correctly but the biggest thing about Rottingdean is the survival of the High Street. Anything that upsets that is not welcome. Traders are having a hard time and there are a lot of empty shops at the moment.”

A High Street business owner said: “Since it came to light about this man the number of tickets has actually increased. There was a panto at the village hall and quite a few people were given tickets.”