Anyone who’s taken a vehicle into the Scottish capital of Edinburgh will know that parking is not an easy task. Well to be fair the parking is straight forward – it’s finding the space that’s difficult. The whole system is made more interesting by the city’s traffic wardens known locally as the “blue meanies”.

APCOA Parking, the company that employes the city’s traffic wardens has become so concerned about their staff, the pressures of the job and the abuse potential of the role that they have agreed to a year’s course of stress management therapy for the wardens at a cost of £3,000. The stress management course will include “Shamanic Meditation” – meditation with the use of drums to aid the concentration.

Is it a funny story? Well maybe not as much as it seems. Last week, APCOA itself took its 80 wardens off the streets after death threats were broadcast over the “blue meanies” personal radios – maybe it was to investigate the improper use of the radio system, maybe it was for the protection of the workforce. Assaults are a constant risk and verbal abuse, an expected part of the role – yes, unfortunately, expected.

Edinburgh City Council has backed APCOA Parking in the move to reduce stress.