Abandoned cars, or individuals who use the streets as an unofficial car-showroom for the vehicles they are trying to sell, can be dealt with by contacting the council.
The council has the power to remove abandoned vehicles from the streets and can also deal with vehicles that are either being sold or mended on the side of the road as part of a business
The Law
The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 gives local authorities powers to remove abandoned cars from the street immediately. It also creates two new offences to help local authorities deal with the problem:
- Offering for sale two or more vehicles as part of a business
- Repairing a vehicle on the road as part of a business
Joy Riding
There are a number of measures that the police can use to stop joyriders, including seizing cars they believe have been stolen, or simply arresting them for theft.
Some areas, such as car parks or residential areas where there are a lot of cars, suffer from continued problems with gangs of youths stealing cars in order to joyride. There are a range of powers, including ASBOs and dispersal orders that can be used, but prosecution will be sought where possible.
If you suspect that a vehicle has been stolen, call the police. If you are worried that a gang or a certain individual is becoming a problem, contact your ASBO officer at the council
The Law
Joyriding is not currently a specific offence in England and Wales but other more general offences are often relevant. These include "taking and driving away" and "aggravated vehicle taking" - where "taking and driving away" results in injury or damage under Section 12 and 12A of the Theft Act 1968.
The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 allows the police to seize property they believe to be stolen if they think it is in danger of being lost or damaged.
Sections 59 and 60 of the Police Reform Act 2002 allows the police to seize vehicles, after a warning, from joyriders and nuisance drivers both on and off the road.
Mini-motos
Mini-motos can be ridden on private land so long as it does not cause a statutory nuisance. Private land does not include housing estates or parks. In virtually all cases it is illegal to ride mini-motos on the road. Officially mini-motos are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1998, and therefore they need to be road worthy. Most mini-motos do not meet these requirements. Even if they did, to ride a mini-moto on the road it would need to be taxed, insured and registered with the DVLA.
The Law
If a mini-moto is ridden on the road without due care and attention, or off-road including on footpaths and common land in a manner which causes alarm, distress or annoyance then under Section3 and 34 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 the Police can seize it after a warning (under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002).
When a mini-moto has been seized it will be crushed after the minimum storage period if the owner does not pay the appropriate fees or produce the correct legal documents.
The Noise Act 1996 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990 can be used to take action where mini-motos and other vehicles are creating a noise nuisance.
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