Someone keeps parking on private land. Security issue

Watchful

Bit of a strange one, this.

I've got a small industrial building with a small secure yard. Someone keeps parking in the yard, despite signage stating that it is private and no parking is permitted. I've also been putting notes on the car, but I have just been finding them left on the ground when the car has gone.

I've written to DVLA asking for the address of the keeper, but the request was declined as not legitimate.

In general, I've not been keeping the gates locked, because I, or someone else, is normally around.

However, a neighbour recently got broken into, so I'm anxious to start locking up the yard (Which has big, heavy steel gates and barriers).

The problem is that at the end of next week, I'm out of the country, for a couple of weeks. So the yard WILL be securely locked for 2 weeks with no access. The notes left on the car and signs have been updated to this effect.

The problem is what do I do if the car is still there when I need to go on Friday. My insurer is insisting that it is locked when I am away. Can I just lock the car in, given that I will have given several weeks of written notice?

Nodding_Donkey

Personally I would keep them closed all the time. It may be a pita for a little while but the muppet should get the message.

dandelionclock30

Lock it now when the car isnt there and keep it locked and the car wont be able to get in.

sinizterguy

Lock the car in, leave a contact number.

When they call, tell them you're two hours away and you'll be there as soon as possible to let them out.

In the meantime, advise them to play with themselves to keep busy.

Do ensure that they are inconvenienced for a suitable amount of time prior to letting them out and advise them that the yard will be locked on and off as you feel like ... The next time you will not inconvenience yourself to let them out.

They are unlikely to ever return.

Watchful

Yeah. It's a real pain to keep them shut all the time, but it does keep him out.

It's just that on the day I forgot, he was back.

I'm just a bit anxious that he might sneak in if I forget, and don't want a big legal problem when I get back.

quidsy

A large peice of super sticky notepaper. Straight over the drivers side windscreen. They can't just throw that away. Or lock them in whilst you are on site then confront them when they try to get the car.

Umkomaas

Its tw*ts like your interloper that cause exasperated landowners to fall into the clutches of the PPC 'industry'. Then they (rogue parker) come running to the forum asking for help in avoiding having to pay their 'fine'.

I can't provide any better advice than some of the suggestions already made, but if you're in a lighter mood at some stage you might want to have a read and a laugh at Trev-the-Clamp's 'ANPR In A Box'.

He reckoned this was the ultimate in all things 'surveillance' including his invention's ability to catch shoplifters, illegal immigrants and terrorists as well as, of course, rogue parkers!

He was forced to remove his laugh-a-minute website because of the wild, impossible claims, but there are some 'traces' of it still on the internet yet to be covered. Have a look at this - but it's not as good as his erstwhile website.

http://www.merseysideonline.com/business_directory/business_and_economy/business_services/22121129569424953/anpr_in_a_box.asp

Fergie76

DVLA will give out information to any old scammer without a legitimate reason, but when you approach them with a legitimate reason, they are not interested.

I would lock him/her in, as (I think) you are allowed to do that under POFA. Others will clarify that. If he then damages your property trying to get out, you can then sue him for the damages.

spacey2012

If you issue a trespass warning it become aggravated trespass if they should ignore the warning.
Personally I would just lock the gates and leave a number on the gates to call, when they call be polite, but insist you are issuing them with a verbal warning they are trespassing and must leave and not return or it becomes aggravated trespass and you can have them arrested.

Half_way

From my understanding of things you can lock a vehicle in, as long as you let them know when they can get out.
along the lines of

Car park open monday -Firday 7am-6pm, gates locked from 7pm-7am monday - friday and locked from 7pm Friday - 7am Monday, and locked on bank holidays.

As long as you have given notice that the gates will be locked/closed and then opened on whatever date/time and that if the individual is not charged for retreiving their vehicle during open days/times then there shouldnt be a problem. make sure that any signage is clear, and any notice placed on the vehicle is clear as well as taking a few photographs+photos of any possible damage.

matttye

spacey2012 wrote: »

If you issue a trespass warning it become aggravated trespass if they should ignore the warning.
Personally I would just lock the gates and leave a number on the gates to call, when they call be polite, but insist you are issuing them with a verbal warning they are trespassing and must leave and not return or it becomes aggravated trespass and you can have them arrested.

That's not aggravated trespass.

Aggravated trespass is where you trespass on land, in the open air, and intimidate people in order to deter them from taking part in lawful activity, or otherwise try to obstruct or disrupt that lawful activity.

As per Section 68 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.