Police have been criticised after two officers parked on double-yellow lines so they could nip into a supermarket.

The Sussex Police car was spotted parked on double-yellow lines and on the kerb outside Tesco Express in Sutton Road, Seaford, last Saturday.

The camera-wielding resident then took further pictures of a police officer buying what appeared to be a pack of burgers in the supermarket. A second officer was seen sitting in the car’s passenger seat.

The anonymous resident told The Argus: “I couldn’t believe it. It wasn’t as if the roads were empty and it was late at night – it was two in the afternoon.

“I wonder what local businesses think of it when across the town people can no longer just pop into the shops or risk getting tickets?

“It seems like one rule for them and another for us.”

Chief Inspector Rob Leet, Lewes district policing commander, said the behaviour was “unacceptable” and he would speak to the officers involved.

He said: “We expect the highest personal and professional standards from our officers and staff in all of their activities and this has obviously fallen short of those expectations.”

On Friday in Brighton, a Sussex Safer Roads Partnership vehicle was also spotted parked on double-yellow lines.

Paul Thompson, a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels, was given a ticket while stopping to deliver a meal to a vulnerable client in Brighton in September.

He said: “It is double standards, but it goes on all the time and I suppose I don’t begrudge busy people getting their lunch by bending the rules a bit.

“I’ve not had anything back yet about my ticket but the Royal Voluntary Service has invoiced the council for the money – so here’s hoping.”

Sussex Safer Roads Partnership was unavailable for comment.