Haringey Council's parking attendents have been accused of double standards after an enforcement car was caught flouting laws they impose on others.

Rather than leading by example, the council vehicle was snapped by a bemused reader parked on a double yellow line in Weston Park, Crouch End, on New Year's Eve.

The car — handily equipped with a roof-top camera to catch law-breakers — was parked on a bend which could suggest the double yellow line was placed there because for safety reasons.

Simon Leigh, 46, a photographer from West Green, was driving home from a shopping trip at midday on new years eve when he spotted the car.

Mr Leigh said: "I was driving out of Felix Avenue when I noticed them on the corner. I pulled over and took their picture. The occupants didn't appear greatly pleased to be photographed.

"This does appear to show a certain arrogance on behalf of council workers.

"Surely anyone seeking to enforce rules should act within the rules themselves.

"I do not particularly object to the job they are doing so long as it is reasonable and makes some sense. However i do object if they are breaking laws in the process of trying to enforce laws."

He added: "I think it is highly unlikely they would be given a ticket for this offence — unlike the rest of us."

In the council's Tips on Sensible Parking section on its website, it tells motorists: "Double yellow lines denote an area where it can be dangerous to park, or where leaving your vehicle can be a hazard to other road users."

Despite this, a spokesperson for Haringey Council said parking enforcement vehicles are allowed to park in restricted areas and had not broken any laws.

The spokesman said: "This option is only applied in extreme circumstances and staff are instructed to avoid such action whenever possible. However, in some circumstances our vehicles have no option other than to park in a restricted area to record contraventions taking place."

Ellen Booth, of road safety charity Brake, said council enforcement officers should not be exempt from the rules of the road.

She said: "Presumably double yellow lines are there because it is dangerous to park there, being allowed to park there or not doesn't matter.

"It's hard to think of a parking emergency that would justify creating a hazard. They're not an emergency service."

Her thoughts were echoed by Nigel Humphries, of the Association of British Drivers, who criticised council workers for their lax attitude to the same regulations they penalise others for breaking.

Mr Humphries said: "They make the rules so they can do what they like but it's not about the rules it's about making money."

Figures published earlier this year revealed that between April 2008 and March 2009, Haringey Council raked in up to £7,449,000 in parking fines.

This figure amounts to the average driver being hit the average driver being hit with a £57.41 fine every single day.