NEWS RELEASES
Ending the blight of abandoned vehicles
28th April 2004
A partnership project to remove abandoned vehicles is proving very successful in the Horsham District.
Codenamed Operation Crackdown, the fast-track removal of 488 vehicles has taken place in a trial across the Horsham District in the last 12 months.
Crackdown is led by Sussex Police, which has been working with the district, borough and county councils, West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, the DVLA and several recovery companies in developing this initiative.
The trial approach has helped rid the area of the blight of dumped vehicles - an escalating environmental problem and a significant burden on the taxpayer. It has also helped reduce the number of reported malicious car fires.
Reporting on the progress made locally, Cllr Robert Nye, Cabinet Member for the Environment at Horsham District Council, said:
“Horsham District Council has a duty to investigate and remove abandoned vehicles from the public highway and in the last 12 months we have investigated 1630 reports.
“From this number, we have removed 488 vehicles that proved to be abandoned.
“Operation Crackdown has really helped us because it gives speedy access to information about a vehicle, therefore allowing us to remove it faster and at no extra cost and without the need to put notices on them. In most cases this has reduced the period that the vehicle remains on the road from 3-4 weeks to just a few days.
“Anyone with a vehicle that has come to the end of its life can dispose of it responsibly and legally at a licensed vehicle disposal facility.
“An example of this is Adversane Vehicle Breakers on (01403) 783680.
“Disposal of a vehicle at the end of its life is not expensive and in most cases will cost nothing; currently even the collection can be free.”
Project Manager Tim Saunders of Sussex Police said: "The use of Police Powers to authorise the removal of vehicles is key. This avoids the need to affix removal notices to vehicles and reduces administrative delay.
"As a result, the time that abandoned vehicles spend on the streets awaiting removal is reduced sharply. The consequences of fast-track removal should be a reduction in the number of repeat calls, a reduction in car fires and a cleaner safer community.
“Operation Crackdown provides an effective mechanism for agencies to work together in a joined up way to address a problem of common concern.
“The scheme will help keep Sussex clear of abandoned vehicles, improve the environment, and reduce opportunities for crime and vandalism.
“Law abiding residents need not be worried that their vehicles may be removed as vehicles that are taxed and registered properly do not fit the criteria for an abandoned vehicle.”
The public can report suspected abandoned vehicles in three ways, giving full details of the vehicle:
- log onto the abandoned vehicle reporting form via Horsham District Council’s website
- call Horsham District Council on (01403) 733144 advising the full details of the vehicle and its location
- call the Sussex Police, non-emergency 0845 60 70 999 number and leave full details of the registration number and location via an automated voice-form.
Ends
Note to editors:
Abandoned vehicles in the Horsham District 2003/04:
|
Vehicles reported |
1529 |
|
Visit reports by Council officers |
1630 |
|
Vehicles stored |
61 |
|
Vehicles surrendered |
19 |
|
Vehicles disposed of |
488 |
|
Vehicles claimed and paid for |
4 |
|
Claims against Council/Police |
0 |
CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
(01403 215549)