Who do you call when the Police takes your car?

buglawton

I suggest composing a not too rambling account of all that happened and send it to your local Coucillor CC to local MP, via https://www.writetothem.com/ which will identify your representative and manage the communication for you.

Your Councillor/MP would be aware if your local police force has a track record of providing such gross incompetency/inefficiency in return for your taxes/rates, and may be able to put words in appropriate ears. Either way you should make them aware.

Actually I think the police are funded mainly by your borough council via rates. Senior police management are handsomely paid to run a supposedly efficient ship.

Mr.Generous

Anyone who has had no or minimal dealings with the police will think this is outrageous or a one off. Until a couple of years ago I had tremendous respect for the police. Having dealt with them over 2 incidents last year I can say this is typical, they don't care or try to help, they get things wrong and say they will do things then don't. Try and speak to the officer? on late turn / off duty / uncontactable / no longer on the case / will call you back / on sick leave ... they can't help but because of what you have told them they will do x ... so they do y and say that's what you agreed, then refer themselves to professional standards dept ? You end up doing whatever you can yourself and trying to forget it! Good luck trying to get anywhere...!

Stevie_Palimo

pusched wrote: »

Hi,

I wonder if anyone can give me any advice.

On Friday night there was a stabbing that took place right by my car. On Friday night I spoke to 3 police staff and informed them all that my car was right where it happened, I live about 30m from where it took place.

No one bothered to take my details and I was given mixed information from the 3 officers.

The next morning I saw that the car was no longer there. I went to speak to 2 other officers and was informed the car was taken for forensics and was given a reference number and a contact number for the pound.

I tried to call the pound but no answer so I called 101 and was informed they cannot give me a timeframe but it would be weeks or months until I get my car back.

I was told someone would call me back. After a few hours, I called back and was told the same. I called a 3rd time and was told the same. After a couple of hours two detectives came over to ask us questions but were not aware that my car had been taken and they took down my details.

After an extra 2h, I got a call to basically say the car was taken and they cannot give me a time frame but it would be at least a week and that I would have to go and get the car, they would not bring it back.

On Monday I called the pound to see if there was an update and also to check if the car is damaged as I have no idea and no one has told me. I was then told that the car was not at that pound but at a different one even further away.

I tried to call Citizens Adviser since Monday but there is no answer, noone available on the chat and I have not received an email back so today, Wednesday, I called 101 to get an update.

The detective on the case called back, said she had no been in touch as did not have my details! I asked her under what power was my car taken and if they would bring it back. She just told me that the police has the rights to take the car and they have no means to return it! I explained that my car is rather old and if not switched on for a few days, the battery can drain, looking at the details for the pound, they do not even jump-start it if needed.

I am rather surprised by how all of this has gone.
Surely I should have been given a letter with the details of under what powers my property has been taken, where it is being kept, be given a rough time frame idea and be informed of my rights and options. Surely the car should be brought back since I have not committed a crime.

Am I expecting too much? Do I really have no rights on this matter?

What about Ghost Busters ??????

buglawton

Stevie_Palimo wrote: »

What about Ghost Busters ??????

You're a bit late here with that comment.

Stevie_Palimo

buglawton wrote: »

You're a bit late here with that comment.

That is what I get for not reading the full thread.

TonyMMM

The silver dust is fingerprint powder, probably aluminium, and should wash off the exterior OK ( if it is used on vinyl or leather interiors it will never clean off, so you may have been lucky there).

If there was no possibility of the car interior being involved in any way with the offence then you have every right to know why it has apparently been accessed and to have things put right.

Guest101

Force website, complaints section, fill it out and submit it.

pusched

Ok so police called this morning to inform me that the car can be collected!

I can see that the powder can be removed but feel like this should be done before returning the car. I do have leather seats but they were covered, although part of it was off as they must have taken it off or something.

I am taking the car to be washed this evening so hopefully no problems there and managed to fix the back seat.

However the issues do not end here as I had hoped. Went to put my key on the passenger's side and it wouldn't go in. I tried it again with a bit of force and it went in and unlocked the car but it doesn't work when I try to lock the car.

Now I have no idea if this was caused by the police but I have to assume it was. Obviously I can't be sure as it depends how they got into the car! Ah, fun and games - Please send Ghostbusters number my way!