Police officers issued a total of 44 tickets on vehicles illegally parked on South Road near the Elbow Beach Hotel and surrounding areas on Christmas Day.The tickets were issued as hundreds celebrated Christmas Day on the beach, despite warnings by police to help move the ‘overabundance of vehicles’ parked on the road side.For decades residents have congregated at the Paget beach on December 25 causing frequent traffic problems due to the narrow drive on South Road.Outraged online readers charged the police were targeting Elbow Beach when they regularly ignored illegal parkers elsewhere.One man described the action taken as “just plain disgusting” and charged that “police have nothing better to do than to harass people having some enjoyment”.The police spokesman noted that the tickets were issued after an announcement was made over the PA system that illegally parked vehicles would be ticketed.Ultimately he said the violators were urged to move their vehicles with “very little success”.The spokesman concluded: “Whilst we believe that everyone should enjoy the day, we must ensure safety for ‘all’ and as [such] violating vehicles will be ticketed and run the risk of being towed.”