TEN Traffic wardens had cars deliberately driven at them by angry motorists in Blackburn with Darwen, shocking new figures show.

Over the past three years, officers have been subject to violence 19 times by drivers, experienced 44 incidents of verbal abuse and threats of violence, five of which were racist, and in one incident had a brick thrown at the warden’s van.

The figures released following a Freedom of Information request also showed two ‘threats to kill’ were made because of parking tickets.

The most recent incidents saw a brick thrown at an officer in April and last month there were two violent attacks on staff where threats were also made.

No details on the specifics of the incidents have been revealed.

But in 2008, the Lancashire Telegraph reported how one motorist drove his car at parking warden Anthony Barnes.

Mr Barnes was hit on the back of legs in Audley Range, Blackburn, outside Audley Spare Parts, but was not injured.

Unions said the ‘shocking’ attacks were just the tip of the iceberg with many other incidents going unreported.

Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Kate Hollern said the incidents were ‘completely unacceptable’.

She said: “Traffic wardens are just trying to do a job and they should not be abused.

“We have a concern about cars being abandoned, often outside schools, which can cause a lot of danger.

"Drivers should obey the rules and then we wouldn’t need traffic wardens.

“There is a complaints procedure for any council services that people should be going through if they are unhappy.”

Ben Priestley, from the public sector union Unison, said: “This level of abuse and violence is shocking.

"No-one should have to put up with such intimidating attacks.

“Traffic wardens do a difficult job and should not be the subject of abuse by anti-social, selfish people who think they can park just anywhere.”

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: “Abuse against traffic wardens is an issue for the local council and is not an issue that is of specific cause of concern to police.

“However, if a criminal offence has been committed it will be treated like any other offence and investigated accordingly.”