Vehicle issues
Our information may help to resolve problems such as abandoned vehicles, obstructive parking, people repairing vehicles or speeding/dangerous driving.
What issues are you facing?
Get advice below
Is it antisocial behaviour?
This is a criminal offence under Section 2 of the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978.
What you can do
- If you think a vehicle’s been abandoned, check with your neighbours to see if they know whose it is.
- If no one knows, write down the registration number and make of the car.
- If it’s on a public road, please contact the local authority
to let them know. The owner of an abandoned vehicle that is removed, stored or destroyed by the local authority is liable for the storage or disposal costs. - If you think it’s stolen, please report it to the police on 101.
- If it’s parked in one of our car parks, please send us the details and attach a photo if possible. We’ll then contact the DVLA to see if they know who it’s registered to. If they do, we’ll get in touch with the owner.
- Your local authority can also remove abandoned vehicles from land owned by Sovereign
- If you send us registration details and a photo, we may be able to contact the owner directly.
Is it antisocial behaviour?
This is a criminal offence under Section 68 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.
What you can do
Try speaking to the car’s owner first – they might not realise it’s causing a problem.If this doesn’t change anything, or you’re not comfortable talking to them, there are a few things you could do, depending on where and how it’s parked:
- If you think it’s parked unlawfully – for example, on zig zag lines, parked dangerously or in a way that would prevent emergency vehicles from accessing somewhere, or blocking garages - please contact the police.
- If it’s on public verge or highway and it’s contravening local parking regulations contact your local authority who may be able to help.
- If you think it poses a safety risk, call the police on 101 to report it – they may be able to remove it.
Is it antisocial behaviour?
This refers to people running a vehicle repair business and using the street or our land to do so.
Please note, carrying out car maintenance on your own vehicle may be restricted to your garage or driveway – it’s best to check your tenancy or with us if you’re unsure.
What you can do
- If you’re finding it’s disturbing you, please speak to your neighbour, as they may not be aware it’s causing an issue.
- If you think what they’re doing is an offence and they’re doing repairs on a public highway, contact the local authority . They can investigate it and might take action under the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005.
Is it antisocial behaviour?
This is a serious criminal offence.
What you can do
- If someone is speeding, driving dangerously or committing any other kind of road traffic offence, report it to the police as soon as possible.
- Your local authority may also be able to help, by installing some traffic calming measures, such as speed bumps. Contact your local authority with details of what’s happening.
- If the local authority does decide to look into calming measure, it will take time for them to assess what’s needed – they’ll need to speak to road safety offices, local residents and the emergency services to decide what action is best.