SMALL traders believe their businesses are being ruined by Southend’s spy cars.

Maria Sanders, who runs Kays DIY Centre, in Westcliff, and Dominic Bury, who owns Temple Cafe, on the Temple Farm Industrial Estate, say the CCTV cars are catching out customers and there is no need for them.

Both businesses are based in roads marked by double yellow lines.

But Mrs Sanders, who has run her shop in Beresford Road for 24 years, feels she has been victimised since the spy cars were introduced to the town’s streets last summer.

She said: “This is not a busy area and my customers do not stop for long – they are in and out in 20 minutes.

“But a car is always here, stinging customers the moment they pull over.

“When we had wardens before, you could talk to them and they would understand. That isn’t the case now.”

Mr Bury, who took over the cafe in Journeymans Way just eight weeks ago, added: “I can see the point in the cars if they are being used properly.

“But this is an industrial estate, it’s not dangerous.

“I have builders who want to come here to pick up breakfast, but they won’t do it if they’re going to get a ticket.

“It’s killing the business.”

The pair’s troubles have been picked up by Martin Terry, spokesman for Southend Council’s Independent group.

He said: “We should be trying to help small firms, not hinder them.

“This is something that really needs to be looked at again.”

The two spy cars – Toyota iQs equipped with rotating cameras – have divided opinion since they were brought in by the council last year.

They each patrol two schools every day, to ensure parents do not park dangerously, but are otherwise free to roam the town.

Their speed means they can cover far more ground than wardens on foot or bike.

Andrew Meddle, the council’s head of planning and transport, said: “The cars were brought in to improve safety, to reduce congestion, to protect the environment and to prevent the loss of revenue to local businesses and the council.

“The council’s approach supports visitors to local businesses.

“Changes to traffic regulation orders have to be made through a statutory process, and no requests have been received to change them in these locations.”