It seems not even police are above the law when it comes to parking tickets.

A police officer investigating a crime in the town centre returned to find the car had been issued with a £25 fine.

The car was in the Trinity Place car park in Sheerness on Bank Holiday Monday.

Eagle-eyed reader Matt Partis took these pictures on his mobile phone as he was leaving Holy Trinity Church Hall, in Broadway, following a Jubilee party.

He said: “Everyone seemed to enjoy the Diamond Jubilee, but none more so than Swale council’s team of excitable traffic wardens.”

He added: “It seems no one was safe, not even the police.”

Kent Police has said it will be appealing against the fine, but a spokesman for Swale council says the same parking regulations apply to police as to members of the public.

They added that the civil enforcement process had been applied correctly.

A spokesman for Kent Police said: “The officer that had the car was investigating a theft from a shop, so we will be getting an appeal letter across and liaising with the council.”

A statement from Swale council said: “Where the vehicle is left unattended, the council’s enforcement officer will not be able to verify the reason for the vehicle being left if it is parked in contravention of the restrictions.

"Police vehicles should also adhere to traffic regulations if not being used to deal with an emergency situation.

‘‘These rules are similar to police vehicles breaching speeding regulations.

“In such circumstances a penalty charge may be issued after which the council will require confirmation from a senior officer that the vehicle was being used to deal with an emergency situation.

“It is of course vital that the public are assured that the rules governing parking enforcement are administered consistently across Swale to ensure fairness to all motorists.”