Big Brother Or What?

[david small]

My son thought that his car had been stolen from the private cc monitored car park at his Portsmouth flat. It turns out the council had had it removed because off outstanding unpaid fines from the Swansea area. He has never been to the place. The police checked his plate number and said there was nothing outstanding on the vehicle. When he eventually got an answer from the council phone they admitted that they had made a mistake with one digit on the plate. The towing company want £100 off him to release his car none refundable. The council want £160 multiplied daily off him, refunded eventually. It was booked in for an MOT today, but he has to find £260 to get his own STOLEN car back. The council is intransigent. Suggestions welcome.

[dannyk13]

Consult a solicitor.

[Old_Geezer]

Suggest posting in Law rather than Chatterbox.
Apart from that, sorry, I'm no legal expert.

[Buenchico]

This is one of those situations where 'legal' remedies (i.e. through solicitors) can take ages. It can be far quicker to involve the local media, who can often quickly shame bureaucratic councils into sorting things out.

Contact details for his local rag are here:
http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/contact-us

The regional (Southampton-based) newspaper might also be interested:
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/contact/#editorial

[Old_Geezer]

Or maybe local radio ?

[Buenchico]

^^^ Worth a try, O_G!

BBC Radio Solent:
02380 632811

or even BBC TV's South Today programme:
02380 226201

[david small]

Thanks for replying. Last I heard 3.30pm he had been waiting ages at council offices.

[david small]

My son has his car back, no apology. They have £260 cash from him that they are holding. When he goes back to them with entire documents re the car purchase details from eleven years ago etc. They will refund HIS money. How nice of them. So like a thief in the night they take private property to ransom. I advised him to go to local paper, radio, etc.
England today......

[gness]

This makes me cross, David......it must be so frustrating for your son dealing with something like this.....and has he had to take time off work to sort it.....the time spent gathering paperwork etc.......it's all his time to sort someone else's mistake......

I'd be contacting everyone I could.....including the Mayor.....nothing to do with him I know....but I always contact mine with a problem....and I'd make a nuisance of myself asking.....why?....How can you treat folk like this?

He deserves at least a genuine apology.....x

[david small]

Thanks gness yes, he has had to take time from an exceedingly busy time at his workplace. Apparently his bosses son had a similar occurrence several years ago. Makes you wonder. He has 14 days to try and reclaim his money taken from him for THEIR error.

[gness]

David.....I really hope he fights his corner in this.... So often the little man backs down...because it's so wearing dealing with situations like this....

Do keep us updated....Gx

[jlcm]

Sue the council big time,for the car for the inconvenience for the most important the slur on your sons name and even more urgent start checking his credit rating they might have started informing people that your son's not a good risk

[david small]

Final update. He can get the £160 back, but not the £100.
Small claims I'm told minimum £500. He is taking it on the chin. I think he's a fool, but it's his decision. So, have your car stolen by the council and have £100 extorted from you into the bargain. England today. Thanks for all replies.

[Old_Geezer]

Sorry it wasn't a happier ending.

[scooping]

Feel for him. What a nightmare. Agree with Buenchico. Media straight away. Also a local councillor asap.

[scooping]

Small Claims Court for the £100. They'll buckle before case heard.