Help - Letter from the police!

sarahkmv

Hi All,
Hope I'm posting in the correct place.


I'm really upset - I have come home to find a letter saying I allegedly drove without due care and attention, left the scene of an accident and failed to stop.... at our local Sports Centre car park during half term! I know I was there as the times stated were when I drop off/pick up my daughter from trampolining, but I genuinely haven't been in an accident - surely I would have noticed if I had?


I have tried ringing the collisions team, but they are only open till 3pm so have to wait till Monday. I know I didn't hit anyone, not even reversing out of a space. I've checked my car for marks etc and I can't see any newish ones (I've an old banger anyway).


Any advice? Obviously I will complete the police form and return it to them with my comments, saying I have no knowledge of such an incident and can they provide further information, but I'm wondering if I should talk to the Sports Centre, see if it is recorded anywhere and whether to contact my insurance company yet?

SailorSam

Are you sure it's a genuine Police letter ?
Maybe i'd ring the sports centre and tell them about the letter and ask do they have Cctv and send things to the police, but i wouldn't get in touch with my insurance yet.

FBaby

Could someone have hit another car or wall trying to avoid you and you didn't notice? Seems odd if it was a scam that they would have your car details where and the time you really were there.

sarahkmv

Thanks SS for replying, yes it's genuine, I googled the address and it's all correct, with a freepost envelope etc.


I will ask the Sports Centre, I know there are cameras there. Obviously someone could have 'witnessed' something and passed my details over, but I am 100% sure I haven't hit anything, I almost always park in the same place, which doesn't have a car either side so I can't have hit something reversing out (which I doubt would happen without me noticing). I despise people who hit a car and drive off and would never do that, but obviously that's just my say so, not proof!


Was a bit of a shock to get the letter.

sarahkmv

FBaby, obviously that's a possibility, I can't claim to be a perfect driver!! I don't think it's a scam, our sports centre has cameras that clock you in and out via your reg plate so they know I was there, and I know I was there around that time.


I don't recall hearing any bangs or crashes at all, but then like you say I may not have noticed what was behind me.

Indout96

Dont fill out anything with personal details until you speak to the police and I would advise you ring the local station or go round with the letter rather than ringing the number on the letter itself. If it is in a car park the police should not be involved if there is no injury to anyone.

Anyone can make a realistic letter nowadays which is why many scams to get peoples details work so well. They can also google the address and just put their own number on.

RAS

Go to the sport centre and ask if they can let you see the footage?

Georgiegirl256

sarahkmv wrote: »

Thanks SS for replying, yes it's genuine, I googled the address and it's all correct, with a freepost envelope etc.

Don't be so trusting. Anyone can engineer a realistic looking letter nowadays.

The first thing I'd be doing is going down to the local Police Station with the letter. They'd be able to verify it and advise you if it is real or if it is a scam.

sarahkmv

Thanks all, I've checked out the address and number, they are genuine, but yes good idea, maybe I can find out some more details. The return address is the Police Station in Stevenage, and the number checks out.


I have to pick up my daughter soon so I will go a bit early and ask if they can help.


Like I say I am sure I haven't been involved in any type of accident, but obviously someone seems to think I was. Just really upset to see the letter, as it's all odd.


I don't think it's a scam as the date and time quoted is when I would be there, but then it's easy to allege an accident happened isn't it?

andygb

If you have not had a collision, then I cannot see how you can be charged with driving without due care and attention, particularly as the alleged accident happened in a sports centre.
If another driver had an accident because they took avoiding action, then I would suggest that they are driving too quickly, because it is far easier to slam your foot on the brake and stop immediately at less than 30MPH.

sarahkmv

Thanks Andy, good point. The car park is council owned and is usually so busy it's hard to do more than 10mph. Like I say I would never knowingly damage a car without leaving details.