Swedish judge says traffic wardens must expect attacks

Traffic wardens in Sweden have been told they must expect to be attacked due to the nature of their jobs. Judge Ann-Louise Roos made the statement as she rejected a warden's claim for damages after being assaulted by a male motorist she ticketed in the city of Malmo.

"It's simply part of their job description that they make people indignant," she said. "They are among certain vulnerable professions which must be more mentally prepared for threats and attacks."

She handed down a fine and a suspended jail sentence to the motorist who attacked the 35-year-old female warden when he was given a £25 penalty but dismissed the compensation claim.



The victim was throttled around the neck by the man who said: "I will hunt you down to my dying day."

The union representing wardens has expressed outrage while anti-crime groups claimed it was a charter for further attacks. Union spokesman Peter Larsson said: "This just leaves the impression that is OK to hurt parking wardens."

Solveig Bellgran, a parking warden in Stockholm, said: "It feels like it is now open for the public to walk up to me, spit in my face, strangle me or whatever. It is important that this ruling is appealed." Sven-Erik Alhem, chairman of a Swedish victims association, called the ruling "unhealthy".