SOME will see it as the ideal weapon against irresponsible drivers.

Others will regard it as a mobile cash machine for Kirklees Council.

The authority’s CCTV enforcement vehicle will officially hit the road on Monday.

Cameras fitted to the roof of the van are fully automated and produce high-quality images of erring drivers. They also have Automatic Number Plate Recognition, which police use to spot cars which are uninsured.

It can even take pictures on the move.

And although they are not setting targets, officials reckon the man in the van will bring in an astonishing £100,000 a year in parking and penalty fines.

That would mean up to 1,500 drivers who illegally park their cars could be caught over the next 12 months.

And the first any of them will know about it will be when the penalty fine lands on their doormat.

Drivers who will be targeted include those parking on zigzag lines outside schools, parking in loading bays or bus stops, and parking on double yellow lines.

The van will be sent to parking “hotspots” – such as Huddersfield schools where parental parking is a major problem.

And community groups can request the van comes to their area if there is a problem.

A council spokesman said: “The vehicle is set to become a familiar sight as it aims to improve road safety around schools and speed up public transport by reducing dangerous and illegal parking around town centres.

“The move will increase the safety of pupils and parents, as well as local residents, pedestrians and other road users.

“Similar vehicles have been hailed a success in other parts of the country. And, in addition to clamping down on dangerous parking, their very presence is known to deter many motorists from contravening regulations”.

Several Huddersfield schools suffer problems with irresponsible parking by parents, potentially risking serious injury – or worse – to children.

In places like Fixby and Kirkheaton, pupils have teamed up with police to challenge parents over parking issues.

But the mobile camera can also be used to stop people parking at pedestrian crossings and will tackle problems that are reported in town centres, bus stop clearways and cycle lanes.

It will use a pan, tilt and zoom camera mounted on its roof. Inside the vehicle is a high-performance digital recorder.