We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
Car damaged in car park
Hi All
Right settle in for a long tale…...
A few weeks back I went out, parked in a private underground car park that is manned 24/7 with CCTV. On returning to my car a few hours later I found damage to the rear passengers’ door and rear quarter with the offending vehicle leaving its paint on bits of trim, tyre and wheel.
I went to the manned car park office and told them I had found the damage, they were extremely helpful, came back and looked, took a few photos, and took all of my details. They said they would review the CCTV footage and check the parking records (it’s one of those smart car parks with bay monitoring) for the space next to mine on the side the damage occurred. They said due to data protection that they could not let me see the footage, but would happily pass it along to the police, and that in the meantime if I were to report it to the police and get a crime reference number they could the extract the footage to and make it available to the police.
I reported it to 101 and got the reference number, leaving a note that CCTV should be available. I called the manned car park office back to give them the reference number for their records, and was informed that whilst reviewing the footage, only one car had pulled into the bay next to mine between me arriving and reporting the damage, the registration number was visible, and was considered a match the colour of the paint left on my car.
I called 101 back, told them I had given the reference umber to the car park and they had confirmed that the footage will be burned to a DVD in the next hour ready for the police to pick up.
I heard nothing for a week until a letter arrived with this extract….
“This incident has been assessed using an approved matrix determined by Force policy.
This incident has not met the necessary criteria to be investigated further, and will thereby be screened out for no further action to be taken by this Force. Please refer this matter to your insurers or legal advisor for them to pursue a claim.
This does not affect any civil litigation that might ensue.
After consideration of the reported circumstances no further Police action will be taken unless further significant evidence comes to light.”
Whilst I’m not expecting a SWAT team to descend onto the owners house, I do feel a little fobbed off (in my complete novice legal opinion) especially considering all the evidence was pretty much served up to them on a plate, and If the other car was looked at there would have been paint missing at the same positions on the corner closest to my vehicle.
So what do you think?
Right settle in for a long tale…...
A few weeks back I went out, parked in a private underground car park that is manned 24/7 with CCTV. On returning to my car a few hours later I found damage to the rear passengers’ door and rear quarter with the offending vehicle leaving its paint on bits of trim, tyre and wheel.
I went to the manned car park office and told them I had found the damage, they were extremely helpful, came back and looked, took a few photos, and took all of my details. They said they would review the CCTV footage and check the parking records (it’s one of those smart car parks with bay monitoring) for the space next to mine on the side the damage occurred. They said due to data protection that they could not let me see the footage, but would happily pass it along to the police, and that in the meantime if I were to report it to the police and get a crime reference number they could the extract the footage to and make it available to the police.
I reported it to 101 and got the reference number, leaving a note that CCTV should be available. I called the manned car park office back to give them the reference number for their records, and was informed that whilst reviewing the footage, only one car had pulled into the bay next to mine between me arriving and reporting the damage, the registration number was visible, and was considered a match the colour of the paint left on my car.
I called 101 back, told them I had given the reference umber to the car park and they had confirmed that the footage will be burned to a DVD in the next hour ready for the police to pick up.
I heard nothing for a week until a letter arrived with this extract….
“This incident has been assessed using an approved matrix determined by Force policy.
This incident has not met the necessary criteria to be investigated further, and will thereby be screened out for no further action to be taken by this Force. Please refer this matter to your insurers or legal advisor for them to pursue a claim.
This does not affect any civil litigation that might ensue.
After consideration of the reported circumstances no further Police action will be taken unless further significant evidence comes to light.”
Whilst I’m not expecting a SWAT team to descend onto the owners house, I do feel a little fobbed off (in my complete novice legal opinion) especially considering all the evidence was pretty much served up to them on a plate, and If the other car was looked at there would have been paint missing at the same positions on the corner closest to my vehicle.
So what do you think?
0
Comments
-
My sympathies my car was whacked by an impatient driver trying to get onto a motorway from the LH side of the slip road, I was on the RH side...I reported it as he didn't stop and I got a letter back from the police saying the driver didn't recall the incident...
I was thinking of robbing a bank and then forgetting it happened..0 -
Do you have a real MP or just another useless body who do what the whip says and spends every spare moment filling in expense forms, if the former i'd drop him/her a line and see what happens.
As for damage in car parks , my wife's car has been done 3 times in the last year whilst parked (no notes obviously), why people buy cars that are far too big for them and haven't a hope in hell of driving other than in a straight line i can't work out, but you see them every day, clueless.0 -
You were side by side on a slip road entering a motorway?? Not a good tactic.nearlyrich wrote: »My sympathies my car was whacked by an impatient driver trying to get onto a motorway from the LH side of the slip road, I was on the RH side...I reported it as he didn't stop and I got a letter back from the police saying the driver didn't recall the incident...
I was thinking of robbing a bank and then forgetting it happened..0 -
It sounds like they haven't even had a real human being assess the case. I would definitely be writing a letter of complaint to get them to at least review the CCTV footage.
From what you've said it sounds like you don't have the other driver's registration yet? The police should -at minimum- be willing to get this for youChanging the world, one sarcastic comment at a time.0 -
They said due to data protection that they could not let me see the footage,
Tell them you don't want to view the footage you just want the registration number.
Every CCTV camera I have ever seen in these places always has a notice nearby with something like " for your protection," "for your safety and security," etc etc.
If my car had been parked near to yours and my dashcam caught the incident would the data protection act prevent me from telling you the number? This is outrageous, nonsensical and lacking in logic, I would complain.0 -
Thanks for all your replies...
As goes getting the reg, even if I did, what can i do with that? Can I approach DVLA for the owners details?0 -
Yes you can, you have reasonable cause to require the registered keeper details.This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com0
-
OP, have you made any contact with your insurance company, I'm sure they'll be able to track the third party.0
-
No I haven't contacted my insurance, it is cosmetic (creased panels, scratched paint) and I don't want it to potentially effect my no claims etc. Sounds a bit contradictory but its a principle thing with someone driving off and getting fobbed off by 'The Force'.0
-
Oh and ever since contacting 101, I've been getting loads of spam emails, so don't know if they sell their email list on.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 348.6K Banking & Borrowing
- 252.3K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 452.5K Spending & Discounts
- 241.3K Work, Benefits & Business
- 617.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 175.8K Life & Family
- 254.5K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards