Advice needed

Luis

Hello,

I am not sure if this is the right place to post this - so mods feel free to move if not.

I work for the government (please conjur up images of MI6, so much more interesting than waht I do), and where I work, there is a 'secure' car park (fenced in all round, but flimsy barrier at entry, 2 cameras which are poor quality and cover only 1/3 of car park, no staff).

Recently, there have been a spate of thefts and break ins, which is getting out of hand - more and more cars are done each time - 10 the other day.

The management at work refuse to take any responsibility for this as they say 'owners risk' and all that.

However, there are no signs up to this effect, and the car park is clearly sign posted as Government property. There is nowhere else to park elsewhere, and we are not allowed to bring valuables such as mobile phones into work so the local thieves know there is a honeypot of valuables lying around ready for the taking, with no comeback.

Is there anything that can be done about this?

Please advise - thanks.

MarkyMarkD

If it's a car park which you can only enter using a pass or PIN of some kind, and they notified you of the restriction of liability when granting you that pass or PIN, they don't need to reiterate it with signs. Such signs would only apply on a public car park where any old person can drive in and use it, IMHO.

If they didn't inform you of the restriction, you would have a case.

But you've said yourself, that they refuse to accept liability and you know that is the case. So their liability is therefore restricted.

If there's nowhere else to park, get the bus or train!

TDIfurby

Leave the valuables at home. if this helps. Otherwise have a doberman pincher on a 15 foot leash, tied to your towing eye in the back. This should prevent most thieves from attempting a break in on your car, and maybe try another.

FJSRiDER

Report all the thefts to the local police and suggest that due to the large number that they consider running a 'sting' operation to catch the thieves.

Can't manage that? Then leave the car visibly 'empty'. Open the glove box show it is empty and leave nothing on display in the car.

Luis

OMG I AM SO ANGRY.

Well, my car got broken into today at work. Thankfully nothing was stolen (nothing to steal as I never leave vals in the car), but they managed to screwdriver the lock, damage the door, knacker the central locking, damage the rear seats by pulling them away to get into the boot, rip the plastic housing off the steering column.

I had left the car visibly empty and the glovebox open.

FIFTEEN OTHER CARS WERE DONE TOO.

FJSRiDER

Luis wrote:

I had left the car visibly empty and the glovebox open.

FIFTEEN OTHER CARS WERE DONE TOO.

That is appalling.

You need to demand police action.

Personally I'd try to organise a walk-out at work - but I can be a bit of a militant bas*ard.

Baz-Bee

If your employer is aware of what is going on then they still owe you a duty of care. Signs, etc limiting liabilty are of limited use only. If the owner of the land is aware that there is an ongoning problem they have a duty to ensure that it is brpought to the attention of users and potentially to have to adress it themselves.

If you are a member of a Union, Trade or Staff Association or something similar I suggest you seek their advice on what can be done and ask them to start dialogue with your employer to provide a safe and secure environment for their employees to work in. It may even be that because someone could be exposed to a physical assault by the villains if they turned up at the wrong moment, that your employer should have undertaken a risk assessment to comply with his duties under The Health and safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the various Regulations made thereunder.

It is not as clear cut as a sign and/or ignoring the problem.

Baz-Bee

If your employer is aware of what is going on then they still owe you a duty of care. Signs, etc limiting liabilty are of limited use only. If the owner of the land is aware that there is an ongoning problem they have a duty to ensure that it is brpought to the attention of users and potentially to have to adress it themselves.

If you are a member of a Union, Trade or Staff Association or something similar I suggest you seek their advice on what can be done and ask them to start dialogue with your employer to provide a safe and secure environment for their employees to work in. It may even be that because someone could be exposed to a physical assault by the villains if they turned up at the wrong moment, that your employer should have undertaken a risk assessment to comply with his duties under The Health and safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the various Regulations made thereunder.

It is not as clear cut as a sign and/or ignoring the problem.