ParkPatrol might not be a new app for iPhone but it has just been updated to help keep you one step ahead of the car parking police.

The apps uses iPhone technologies such as GPS, Maps and Push Notifications to give you instant alerts when a parking officer is reported near your parked car. You join the ParkPatrol community and send out alerts when you spot an officer roaming the street.

ParkPatrol is free and works worldwide, says the developer. 

Here’s how it works:

• Send Parking Officer alerts when you see one in the street. Many people swear it is a nice feeling to press that red button!
• Receive Alerts posted close to your car, even when the app is closed (push notifications)
• Watch alerts on the map (worldwide zooming possible)
• Remember where you parked your car and for how long, by looking at the embedded map and timer.

“ParkPatrol is entirely anonymous, does not communicate any information to any third party, and does not collect any personal information,” reads the iTunes description.

Version 1.4 has added a 'shake to cancel last report' feature as well as improving responsiveness in focusing, reporting and fixing a few bugs.

Have you dodged a parking fine by successfully using the app? Tell us your experiences below.