Quick Answer & TL;DR
Got a parking fine because of a Catton Morrisons ANPR camera error? Do not pay it immediately. This is likely a “double dipping” glitch.
- The Glitch: The camera recorded your first entry in the morning, missed your exit, and then recorded your final exit later in the day—making it look like you parked there for 8+ hours.
- The Fix: Gather evidence (Google Maps timeline, dashcam footage, or receipts from other locations in between those times).
- The Action: Appeal directly to the parking operator using the term “Double Dipping”. If rejected, escalate it to POPLA. Or, take your receipts directly to the Catton Morrisons store manager—they can often cancel it on the spot.
Shoppers visiting the Morrisons branch in Catton have recently been plagued by a sudden surge in unjust Parking Charge Notices (PCNs). If you opened your mail to find a demanding letter for £85 or £100, you aren’t alone. The culprit? A widely documented Catton Morrisons ANPR camera error.
These Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems are designed to stop commuters from abusing supermarket car parks, but inherent technological flaws are heavily penalizing loyal customers. Here is exactly what is happening and how you can fight back.
How the “Double Dipping” Camera Glitch Works
The most common cause of these erroneous parking tickets is a technical failure known in the parking industry as Double Dipping. Here is how it triggers a false penalty:
- Visit 1: You enter the Catton Morrisons car park at 8:30 AM to buy breakfast. The camera logs your Entry. You leave at 8:45 AM, but a bus blocking the camera, heavy rain, or a software glitch causes the camera to miss your exit.
- Visit 2: You return later that evening at 5:30 PM to do your main grocery shop. The camera misses your second entry but finally logs your Exit at 6:00 PM.
- The Result: The parking operator’s computer pairs the very first entry (8:30 AM) with the final exit (6:00 PM) and automatically issues a fine for a 9.5-hour stay, despite you only being there for 45 minutes total.
ANPR Errors & The Best Evidence to Beat Them
| Type of Camera Error | Why it Happened | Best Evidence for Appeal |
|---|---|---|
| Double Dipping | Camera missed intermediate exit/entry | Google Maps Location Timeline |
| Misread Number Plate | Dirt, shadows, or similar letter swapping (e.g., O vs 0) | Logbook (V5C) showing different car make/model |
| Ghost Parking | Driving through without actually parking | Dashcam footage with timestamps |
How to Appeal Your Catton Morrisons Parking Ticket
Under no circumstances should you ignore the letter. Private parking tickets (PCNs) are technically invoices, but ignoring them can eventually lead to a County Court Judgment (CCJ). Follow these steps to squash the charge:
- Speak to the Store Manager First: This is the fastest route. Take your Morrisons receipt(s) and the parking fine to the customer service desk at the Catton store. Because they hire the parking operator, the store manager has the authority to cancel genuine shopper tickets on their terminal instantly.
- Submit a Written Appeal: If the manager cannot help, go to the parking operator’s website (usually detailed on the back of the letter). Explicitly state that their equipment has failed and you are a victim of a “Double Dipping” ANPR error.
- Provide Proof of Absence: Attach your Google Maps timeline, a receipt from a different shop you visited during the alleged parking period, or a letter from your employer showing you were at work.
- Escalate to POPLA: If the parking company obstinately rejects your appeal, they must provide you with a 10-digit code. Use this code to escalate to POPLA (Parking on Private Land Appeals). POPLA heavily scrutinizes double-dipping cases, and parking firms frequently back down at this stage.
More Consumer Advice
The Catton Morrisons ANPR camera error is a frustrating technological failure, but it is highly beatable. Keep your receipts, utilize location data from your smartphone, and stand your ground against automated fines.
