UKPCL SAR Response - "No Personal Information Stored"

Deechus

Hello and thanks for the very detailed forum posts and guidance so far.

I received a Letter of Claim from DCB Legal (acting for UKPCL) related to not parking within the markings of the bay dating back to 2016.
Following the guidance here, I followed the Newbies template and sent a SAR to UKPCL with my Vehicle Registration Number
I also asked DCBL to put the case on hold.

UKPCL have promptly responded saying they have "no personal data to provide against my VRM that they hold or store on the system". And "in line with their retention policy, they have erased all personal data from the system relating to this charge".

At the risk of getting ahead of myself, does this mean there is no case to answer to? And should I point DCB Legal to this apparent oversight to get the claim dismissed?
Or is there a piece of the process I'm missing or need to watch out for?

Many thanks in advance

Fruitcake

When exactly in 2016 did the alleged event occur?
What is the issue date of the LoC?
Are you still within the 30 day "hold" period?
What happened when you complained to the landowner?
Where did the alleged event occur?
Please confirm the full name of the PPC. (UK Parking Control Ltd perhaps?)

Deechus

Thanks for the fast response Fruitcake

Event occurred 15 December 2016
Issue date of LoC 25 June 2022
I am still within the 30-day hold period
I did not complain to the landowner - I'd received (poor) advice up until now to disregard the PCN
Alleged event occurred in a retail park
PPC is "UK Parking Control Limited"

Jenni_D

I'd be minded to respond to DCB Legal to advise them that their client holds no data with respect to the defendant (as proven via a SAR response). Accordingly their client has no evidence with which to support any claim against this defendant. Therefore they must return this case back to their client and cease and desist any further contact with this defendant (other than confirmation that the claim has been dropped) else a claim for harassment and GDPR breach may be raised.  

Coupon-mad

Are you sure you emailed UKPC not UKCPM in error?

Fruitcake

That's a shame. It's not near enough to six years to try and get it statute barred then. 

A landowner complaint is always Plan A, and it is never too late.

I suggest you also write to DCB Legal and copy UKPC in as well. State that since their client has not retained any personal data pertaining to the alleged event, including the original PCN or NTK, and and does not have any images of the alleged event or of your vehicle, their claim is vexatious and without merit. 
Without proof of a breach of parking Ts and Cs, their claim is bound to fail.

I suggest you also complain to the BPA that one of their members has sent a letter of claim but has admitted that they hold no evidence of a parking breach.

Deechus

That was my first thought when I received the "No Personal Data" response.
I emailed the data protection team at UKParkingControl.com (which is the email address found in the Privacy section on UKPC's website)

Coupon-mad

Ok so send that UKPC reply to DCBLegal and tell them to put that in their pipe and smoke it. No data, no case.

Fruitcake

Since the LoC was sent by DCB Legal, then you should contact them now you know their client has no proof of a parking breach, as well as making a complaint to the BPA, the landowner, and your MP.

Deechus

Thanks for the help Fruitcake, Coupon-Mad and Jenni_D; I will post back with the outcome