Enforcement officers are to use hi-tech equipment to target illegal parking.

Digital radios with built-in navigation systems will allow a control centre to find nearby wardens and direct them to problems.

These would include parking complaints and machine failures.

The technology has been introduced by parking management firm APCOA after Swale council contracted out its enforcement services.

The new arrangement, which came into force on Monday, is a joint partnership between Swale and Maidstone borough councils.

There will be a team of 10 officers patrolling the streets of Swale.

On top of these officers, the councils will employ two managers responsible for enforcement and the processing of penalty charge notices, parking permits and appeals.

Under the agreement, Swale council is set to save up to £83,000 in staff and management costs.

It is believed five of the council’s 10 enforcement officers have transferred their contracts to APCOA.

A council spokesman said: “This has happened to provide a more flexible and efficient arrangement and to enable enforcement officers to be on patrol all the time.

“The uniform is still navy but the officers will wear red tabards or bodywarmers with reflective strips on them.

“Fines are set by central government and not the council or a private company, so they remain the same and there are no targets either now or in the future.

“APCOA have nothing to do with the collection of the money – it simply provides the officers to patrol the streets and the rest of the office-based duties will be conducted in-house.”

Cllr John Wright, cabinet member for parking services, said: “It’s been tendered out in terms of man hours out on the street.

“When we had people off sick, some of which were off long-term, parking enforcement wasn’t 100 per cent.

“This way we are paying hours worked as opposed to paying someone a salary, so we’ll get more hours on the streets.

“It will be cheaper and slightly better value for money for the ratepayer, which can only be a good thing.”