Shoppers parking at a retail park in Gloucestershire claim to have been targeted by an official who “hides behind a bush” and hands out £100 fines.
Several patrons of the Peel Centre in Gloucester said they were issued the fines after being caught crossing the road to Quays, a popular nearby shopping mall.
Locals claim to have been blindsided by an undisclosed change to terms and conditions that have led to “indiscriminate” fining.
Disgruntled people have started raising the issue with government representatives, with some led to believe the written barrier may contravene their human rights.
And they have claimed to only have been fined after being caught by a “diabolical” move from a heavy-handed local parking official.
Speaking to Gloucestershire Live, one shopper said the Peel Centre changes prevent people from crossing at a “purposely installed pedestrian crossing to visit the Quays outlet”.
They said not being able to cross the road from the Peel Centre prevents them from stopping to use the toilet, something they alleged infringes on human rights and makes little sense from an “ethical standpoint”.
The shopper said most people visit both the Peel Centre and Quays in one trip, meaning the parking place is “financially beneficial for all the retailers and reduces pollution”.
They added that the fines are based on flimsy evidence, primarily “photos of vehicles only, not shoppers crossing roads”.
Pam Tracey, a Gloucestershire County Councillor who represents the area with both shopping centres, said many people have written to complain about the rules.
She said that while the changes are displayed on signage at the car parks, it is in “very small print”.
Ms Tracey added that a parking official “stands behind a bush and sees people going over to the Quays” and waits to “pounce” on them.
She said: “It’s not as if people abuse that car park there.
“But to pounce on them when they cross the road is diabolical. It’s not fair. The print is so small.”
Express.co.uk has contacted Peel Centre owners Peel L&P for comment.