Parking on different side of the road

Jojo2234

I park my car on a different side of the road where I live, as there are always free spaces on the road to park, I've been parking there for at least half year. However, today someone has left me a note under my wiper "You don't live this side of the road,if you keep parking here I will have your car removed".
I'm not sure who he is, and how he will get my car removed, it sounds more like a threat to me.
I understand that there is not a lot that this person can do, I am legally parked on public road, not causing a obstruction or anything, I'm not taking "his" space, as there are always plenty of spaces to park on this particular side of the road.
What's the best way to deal with this unknown person?

Alter_ego

Ignore....

CliveOfIndia

As above, all you can do is ignore it really.  There's nothing the other person can (legally) do about it if you're not causing an obstruction or otherwise contravening any local restrictions.  Even if you were breaking some by-law, there's nothing they can personally do about it other than report you.

One thing to bear in mind.  It is actually illegal to park on the "wrong" side of the road (i.e. facing oncoming traffic) at night time on an ordinary 2-way street, unless it's a designated parking space.  Just make sure this doesn't apply to you - otherwise, if the other person was feeling vindictive, they could report the car and you may end up with a fine.

It's one of these things that a lot of people do, and most of the time the local bobby isn't particularly worried about it, but occasionally they may decide to have a bit of a crackdown.

facade

Jojo2234 said:

What's the best way to deal with this unknown person?

Park on the other side like he wants.

People will rightly tell you that you are doing nothing wrong, and that you should stand up to bullies, but you are leaving your car there all night, every night.

Next time you might find the note glued to the windscreen, birdseed on the roof, flat tyres or worse.  You don't know how annoyed he is by your car being on the "wrong" side, or how deranged he is.

Brie

As Clive has mentioned make sure you're facing the right way.  This was an issue near us and one night the cops went and ticketed about 20 cars along one particular road.  I recall it was mentioned at the time it wasn't an issue if you left your parking lights on.  Not too sure on that though so you might want to check the highway code.

Also that you're not on the pavement.  

And as facade says retribution is possible.  Hopefully not of course but I did hear of someone who did the birdseed thing to a incredibly badly parked car.  It wasn't just the droppings on a nice paint job that were the issue but the persistent pecking didn't help much either.  Then again when I lived in a neighbourhood where parking wars were ongoing I just ensured I had an old banger that wasn't going to be devalued by bird damage.

Grey_Critic

Used to be that if you parked on the wrong side then you must have side/parking lights on as for the local bobby they don't exist anymore.

Jojo2234

I just noticed blue paint sprayed all over one side of my car bodywork and windows, I managed to get it off at the car wash, is this considered as a criminal damage? 

sevenhills

Jojo2234 said:

I just noticed blue paint sprayed all over one side of my car bodywork and windows, I managed to get it off at the car wash, is this considered as a criminal damage? 

Was it the same side as the houses opposite?
Even if it was, that is not proof it was them. Paint doesn't normally wash off. Can you match the blue colour to anything?

Jojo2234

Yes my car was parked there all day, I took the note they left me off the wiper when I noticed it from my window at home, they had to spray the paint later during the day. 

facade

Jojo2234 said:

I just noticed blue paint sprayed all over one side of my car bodywork and windows, I managed to get it off at the car wash, is this considered as a criminal damage? 

Yes.

Roe v Kingerlee [1986] Crim LR 735

The appellant smeared mud on a wall that cost £7 to clean. He was convicted of criminal damage, but appealed on the grounds that mud that washed away does not cause any damage, and the conviction was upheld.

https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/criminal-damage

Damage is not defined by the CDA 1971. It should be widely interpreted to include not only permanent or temporary physical harm, but also permanent or temporary impairment of value or usefulness - Morphitis v. Salmon [1990] Crim.L.R. 48.

But good luck with proving who the culprit was, and getting The Police even slightly interested.

Just park on your own side.

diystarter7

Hi OP
Word of caution!!!

You said in OP, "he" you cannot be sure if its a he, a she or he/shes group.
It could be someone that just dislikes you and may even not live on your road on on your side of the road wanting you to get into big trouble.

As you know you can park within the rules anywhere as long as your car is road legal 

The damage, noting less than crim damage.

If I was you, I'd move my car, this is why we only buy property with OSP for several cars or has the potential

During my working days i had jokers come out and tell me , eg, "you can't park there my sob parks there...etc.etc"  I did not argue with these unreasonable bullies as I had a good job, nice family and a crime free history and my jibs demanded that so no point in soiling my hands

Best solution - dont park there - it hurts but it is a common sense way out for a law-abiding guy that has plenty to lose if you dirty your hands with those that are making threats and causing actual damage to your pride and joy.

Report it to the cops so there is a record just in case you have to act in self-defence. But PLEASE do nOT assume who it can or cant be

Thanks