SPY cars have dished out more than 46 fines a day to Southend motorists – and the avalanche of tickets shows no sign of slowing down.

Wardens driving Southend Council’s two CCTV enforcement cars issued 7,582 penalties – worth at least £190,000 – between the vehicles’ introduction last July and the end of February.

The number of fines being handed out on a daily basis has increased slightly since December, undermining arguments that motorists would get used to the cars.

Tony Cox, Tory councillor responsible for transport, said: “We are still in the first year of enforcement, so whether we would expect to see a reduction in the number of fines is debatable.

“However, the fact the rate has remained roughly the same does show this is not a money-making exercise for the council.

“The cars are not designed to punish people.”

The spy cars were brought in last summer to combat problems with parents parking inconsiderately outside schools when picking up or dropping off their children. As part of their operation guidelines, each car has to keep watch outside two schools every day.

They have also been used to target roads which have become notorious for motorists flouting parking restrictions, often following tip-offs from residents.

But their distinctive markings and permission to park on yellow lines while catching other drivers has angered many motorists.

Graham Ray, 59, of Crowstone Avenue, Westcliff, is still battling to overturn a fine he received after stopping to repair a flat tyre in Kensington Road, Southend, in October.

The council is currently considering whether to remove the yellow line on which he parked.

Mr Ray said: “If that happens, I will be demanding my ticket is retrospectively overturned.”

Instead of issuing a standard parking ticket, the spy cars take a note of the offending vehicle’s registration number and a fine is sent out in the post.

Because they do not operate at the weekends, their fines total has been racked up during week days since July.

Penalties range from £25 to £35, but are doubled for those who do not pay within 14 days.