Gravesham council have launched a staunch defence of its traffic wardens in the face of criticism over their role in ensuring road safety in the town centre.

Council leader John Cubitt described the views of those who would decrease the number of wardens as “misguided”.

“There have been calls lately to reduce the number of officers in the misguided belief that this would somehow improve the town.

"The reality is that such a reduction would threaten the safety of schoolchildren throughout the borough and risk chaos on the roads,” he said.

“Of course it is important to ensure all motorists pay for their use of parking fairly but it is a decreasing proportion of their work. The officers are not paid on any quota or incentive system and only issue fines were there has been a contravention of the law.

"For that they are much maligned and, deplorably, subjected to abuse and even physical attacks.”

The council currently have nine civil enforcement officers (CEOs) and have released figures showing how important a role they play in patrolling school entrances and curbing illegal parking, with 40% of the fines issued last year connected to road safety outside schools.

Cllr Cubitt also cited the results of a study suggesting that CEOs also make parking easier in the town centre, keep traffic moving efficiently and assisting in emergency situations.