Abandoned Vehicles

You can report a suspected abandoned vehicle in two ways:

• Telephone 01621 854477
• Online, using our Report an Abandoned Vehicle e-form

Suspected abandoned vehicles will be investigated within 24 hours of being notified and removed within 24 hours of the expiration of the Abandoned Vehicle Notice. When reporting an abandoned vehicle, it would be helpful if you can provide as much information as possible, including the following:

• Make, model and colour of the vehicle
• Registration number of the vehicle
• Exact location of the vehicle
• If the vehicle is taxed
• How long the vehicle has been at that location
• Whether the car is damaged or in a dangerous condition

Please note that you will be asked for your personal contact details. They will be kept confidential and allow us to update you with our progress.

What happens when the car is deemed abandoned?

One of our street scene enforcement officers will attach a Notice to the vehicle demanding that the owner contacts the Council within a given period. If after that time no owner has claimed their vehicle, a second inspection is made and the Council then has a legal duty to make all reasonable enquiries to find out who owns or normally keeps the vehicle.

The Council's contractor will be notified to tow the vehicle away. After the enquiries have been completed and if the owner has not claimed the vehicle, it will be dismantled for spare parts. The remaining material will be sent for recycling.

What does a 'police aware' sticker mean when attached to a car?

Police place these stickers on vehicles that they would like removed by the owner/keeper. If the vehicle is not moved and the police do not know of any owner, they will then normally arrange for the vehicle to be removed.

What can happen to the owner of an abandoned vehicle?

Where evidence is obtained from the DVLA or a witness, the owner will be taken to Court and could face a fine up to £2,500.