Ancient Observer has hit the nail on the head. Here is the excuse by the boys with the bowler hats:
"In the Civil Aviation Act 2012, we laid the foundations for a power for the
CAA to impose "civil sanctions" - penalties that can be imposed without
going to court - as an alternative to taking action in the criminal courts or
to warning letters. Court action can sometimes be slow, cumbersome
and expensive, and a criminal sanction may be a disproportionate way of
enforcing aviation related offences. Civil sanctions are intended as a
more flexible and proportionate alternative."
What it really means that it is damned difficult to prosecute under the criminal code and a doddle under the civil code to make any decent sort of money to pay for our bonuses, London- apartment- price- inflation linked salaries and performance linked bonuses. So can we have some ticket machines, wardens dressed in some blue uniforms with a bit of gold braid and shiny wing badges and some large wheel clamps please, thank you. We promise, scouts honour, we won`t bother you for any more money again.