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Bike towed and damaged
bricksalad
Posts: 14 Forumite
in Motoring
Hello,
2 days ago I was stopped for not displaying an L plate on the front of my bike. I received a £60 ticket, 3 points and my bike was seized.
I was told I could collect my bike from car pound 'A'.
The policeman at the roadside told me to have a look around my bike for any existing damage since bikes are more likely to be damaged when transported.
The next day I went to car pound 'A', only to be told that my bike is in fact at car pound 'B' (20 miles away), having already travelled 15 miles via public transport to get there. The person at the desk was sympathetic and told me to write to them and complain. I was told the policeman should have circled the pound name on the back of my ticket, but didn't. I've been told to scan it and send it as proof.
I arrive at car pound 'B' (last person to be let into the queue) and collect my bike with the L plate now attached to the front. As soon as I drive it away I notice something hitting my leg, and looking down I can see that the panel/bodywork on one side has been ripped from the framework and is moving around. This damage definitely wasn't there before. There are cracks in the panel too. I suppose this is where they may have used a harness to lift it onto the truck (?)
The next thing may be trivial, but really saddened me. I get home, upset, and take the key out of the ignition and notice my keyring is missing (the keys were in the ignition when I picked it up). Someone stole my keyring
The whole journey started at 4pm and ended at 11pm.
I plan on writing to them with the above complaints. But I'd really appreciate your input on how I can go about this.
Should I take my bike to a mechanic and get a quote for the damage to send off with the letter?
Thank you.
2 days ago I was stopped for not displaying an L plate on the front of my bike. I received a £60 ticket, 3 points and my bike was seized.
I was told I could collect my bike from car pound 'A'.
The policeman at the roadside told me to have a look around my bike for any existing damage since bikes are more likely to be damaged when transported.
The next day I went to car pound 'A', only to be told that my bike is in fact at car pound 'B' (20 miles away), having already travelled 15 miles via public transport to get there. The person at the desk was sympathetic and told me to write to them and complain. I was told the policeman should have circled the pound name on the back of my ticket, but didn't. I've been told to scan it and send it as proof.
I arrive at car pound 'B' (last person to be let into the queue) and collect my bike with the L plate now attached to the front. As soon as I drive it away I notice something hitting my leg, and looking down I can see that the panel/bodywork on one side has been ripped from the framework and is moving around. This damage definitely wasn't there before. There are cracks in the panel too. I suppose this is where they may have used a harness to lift it onto the truck (?)
The next thing may be trivial, but really saddened me. I get home, upset, and take the key out of the ignition and notice my keyring is missing (the keys were in the ignition when I picked it up). Someone stole my keyring
The whole journey started at 4pm and ended at 11pm.
I plan on writing to them with the above complaints. But I'd really appreciate your input on how I can go about this.
Should I take my bike to a mechanic and get a quote for the damage to send off with the letter?
Thank you.
0
Comments
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Must have been a right a*se of a policeman that stopped you and issued you a fine and points just for a missing L plate. And to seize it just tops it off.
Things like this just lowers my respect for police officers.
I got stopped on a scooter about 10 year ago for no L plate. The policeman just told me to get one and sent me on my way.0 -
I'm all for the zero tolerance approach. I'd imagine those commiting minor offences such as these are more likely to be the ones driving around without insurance, tax, driving licence etc.0
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Deleted_User wrote: »Must have been a right a*se of a policeman that stopped you and issued you a fine and points just for a missing L plate. And to seize it just tops it off.
Things like this just lowers my respect for police officers.
I got stopped on a scooter about 10 year ago for no L plate. The policeman just told me to get one and sent me on my way.
Its a motoring offence. Why should he be let off? Something doesn't add up though because they only seize the vehicle for no road tax or insurance.0 -
i dont get it either
seizing a bike for non display of an L plate?
which country exactly is this?0 -
Deleted_User wrote: »Must have been a right a*se of a policeman that stopped you and issued you a fine and points just for a missing L plate. And to seize it just tops it off.
Things like this just lowers my respect for police officers.
I got stopped on a scooter about 10 year ago for no L plate. The policeman just told me to get one and sent me on my way.
It's been an offence for years. So why was the officer an "a*se" because he chose to report the OP?"You should know not to believe everything in media & polls by now !"
John539 2-12-14 Post 150300 -
It's been an offence for years. So why was the officer an "a*se" because he chose to report the OP?
Because they have discretion. A word of advice would have done for a first time offence of this nature. Unless he had already been stopped before about missing L plates.
If you watch all the police shows on TV they are always banging on about educating the public rather than being heavy handed....0 -
I'm all for the zero tolerance approach. I'd imagine those commiting minor offences such as these are more likely to be the ones driving around without insurance, tax, driving licence etc.
Cracked door mirror, broken brakelight, large chip in the windscreen, all signs of uninsured drivers without any licence?
Dirty car as well?0 -
Deleted_User wrote: »Because they have discretion. A word of advice would have done for a first time offence of this nature. Unless he had already been stopped before about missing L plates.
Yes, they do have discretion, and in the case of the OP they chose to report him. Which doesn't make him an "a*se".Deleted_User wrote:If you watch all the police shows on TV they are always banging on about educating the public rather than being heavy handed....
Which brings us back to "discretion". They can chose to either educate or report for an offence. Perhaps the OP didn't come across well enough for the education option?"You should know not to believe everything in media & polls by now !"
John539 2-12-14 Post 150300 -
Anyone got any advice to actually help the OP?
Only thing I can think of. When they collected the vehicle, did they have one of those forms where they inspect the bike and mark off any existing damage?0 -
Notmyrealname wrote: »Its a motoring offence. Why should he be let off? Something doesn't add up though because they only seize the vehicle for no road tax or insurance.
Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence would be the reason.0
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