Up to 3,138 people overcharged for PCN fines in Croydon

Croydon council has apologised after admitting to a fault in “printing issues” which has seen as many as  3,138 people overcharged for alleged traffic and parking offences.

Residents had received fines of up to £195, despite never receiving initial penalty charge notices (PCNs), according to BBC London.

This meant that motorists did not receive the first notice through the post – allowing them to pay the discounted rate or appeal – and only became aware of it once they received a second notice.

Residents who contacted BBC London to report the issue included an elderly man who was concerned he would not be able to pay the higher charge and a woman who said she was wrongly charged altogether after parking outside her home using her own residents’ permit.

Croydon council has released a statement of apology. A spokesman said the council was investigating the problem, but that it affected PCNs issued between mid-October and mid-December 2023.

They said affected PCNs would be “cancelled” and refunds issued “to those who have already paid”.

Croydon Labour posted on X – formerly known as Twitter: “That could be as much as £0.5m wrongly collected.

“The fiasco is shocking. What confidence can anyone have about the legitimacy of any PCN issued by the council?

“There are many more questions still unanswered.”

A croydon council spokesman said: “We have identified a problem with our penalty charge notice printing process that is likely to have impacted 3,138 Penalty Charge Notices issued between mid-October and the beginning of December, 2023. 

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused and we are working as a priority to identify everyone who has been impacted. 

“If you think you have been affected by this issue – including if you have already paid the PCN – please get in touch so we can check against our records. 

“You can do this by emailing: pcn@croydon.gov.uk, or phone 02087266000 select option 1, and dial extension 44056; 9am-4pm Monday to Friday.”

(Picture: Alex Borland/Creative Commons)