The number of fines handed out by Medway Council’s controversial spy cars has plummeted, we can reveal.

The vehicles delivered just 3,600 fines last year, down from almost 23,000 two years ago.

They have attracted widespread opposition since they took to the roads in 2008.

Their “victims” only find out when the penalty demand arrives in the post, making it harder to gather their own evidence.

The council has given the average yearly cost of running the two cars as £620,000.

Even if all last year’s fines were paid in full at £70 each, the income would come nowhere near covering that cost so it means that taxpayers will be picking up the difference.

The council says more than two-thirds of the total is for staffing – even though there are currently just four members of staff.

Anti-CCTV protesters have long called for the cars to be scrapped.

Gillingham businessman and long-time council critic Peter Cook, 54, overturned a fine he received outside a butcher’s in Canterbury Street.

Mr Cook (pictured right) said: “If you were an accountant or a finance person you would say it was time to give up if your income is less than your costs.

“If you are in a public context you are wasting taxes. They should consider giving them up if those are the figures.”

Opposition leader Cllr Vince Maple (Lab) said the cost of the cars given by the council was “ridiculous”.

“It doesn’t make any sense,” he said. “Either it’s wrong or it would further justify our call for a review. You could pay 14 or 15 staff for that.”

Despite this, he added: “They are useful outside schools because clearly we want to see the safety of our young people.”

Council chiefs say the cars are here to stay.

They deny their use is being scaled back, instead saying the drop is partly because more people are being fined in person.

An edict in April 2011 said councils should give fines on foot unless the situation was “difficult or sensitive”.

Since then the number of fines issued by the CCTV system has declined. Just 92 drivers were stung in December compared to 2,762 in the busiest ever month, March 2010.

A council spokesman said the drop could also be down to publicity, adding: “The cars send out a strong message to people who break parking regulations.

“There has been a notable drop and we would like to thank the vast and growing majority of motorists who think of other road users and park sensibly in Medway.”

The Medway Messenger obtained the figures under the Freedom of Information Act.

The council said the average annual cost of running the CCTV cars is £620,400: £420,000 on staff, £146,600 on leasing the cars, £45,000 on fuel, £6,000 on training and £2,800 on uniforms.

These costs may be lower now than a year or two ago, when a high number of agency staff were used. The council is also renegotiating its lease for the cars next month.

In all, since 2008, 57,807 drivers have been fined by the CCTV cars. Two-thirds (39,442) have paid their fines, while 14,363 have successfully appealed.