Police officer investigated by force after he turned up in uniform at woman's door at 1.30am because she parked on the kerb

A police force is investigating after an officer banged on a pensioner's door at 1.30am to tell her she should not park on the curb.

Sarah Lester, 66,  thought one of her children had been killed when she was woken up by a police officer knocking on her front door at 1:30am.

Ms Lester, who lives alone, was so worried about the man banging on her door that she called 999, but was told it was one of their officers. 

Opening the door, she expected bad news, but the Hertfordshire Constabulary officer instead told the woman that she should not have parked her car on the grass curb outside her home.

Ms Lester from Borehamwood in Herfordshire, said: "I froze with terror. I was terrified and thought one of my children had been in an accident and died.

"They don't come around knocking at your door with good news at that time of the night.

"Words cannot describe the horror of waking up and hearing the ringing and knocking - he was banging the door and ringing the bell.

"I live alone and the street lights are turned off in my road after a certain time.

"It was a horrendous experience and it was totally unnecessary."

Her fear turned into anger when the officer tried telling her off for parking her car partially on the curb between 8.30pm and 10.15pm that evening before moving it onto her driveway.

She added: "Then the relief turned to anger - to me that was vindictive and it's totally unacceptable.

"When I phoned the police, I was in a state of shock - they said they have a duty to remove your obstruction.

"But when the officer turned up at my house at 1.30am, my car was parked on my drive.

"Why not come in the morning? He had driven passed earlier that evening but did not check to see whose car it was or give me a ticket.

"I was shaken and very upset - it feels like an abuse of power."

No ticket has been issued and Sarah has logged a complaint with Hertfordshire Constabulary and written to her MP, Oliver Dowden.

A police spokeswoman said: "We are aware of the complaint and have been in touch with the lady.

"We are continuing to look into the matter and will update the complainant in due course."