Procedure

• Vehicles that have been abandoned and which in the authorities opinion 'are only fit for destruction' (usually burnt out vehicles) can now be removed once a 24-hour notice has been served on it.
• In the case of vehicles that have no tax but appear to be of value, a trace will be made on the last registered keeper of the vehicle and a 7-day notice served on them. Following expiry of the 7-day notice period and if no claim has been made, a 24-hour notice will be served on the vehicle after which the vehicle will be removed and destroyed.

Although there is no quick solution to the growing problem of vehicles being dumped across the district the new procedure will ensure vehicles are removed as soon as the relevant checks are done and notices served.

Reporting a vehicle you suspect is abandoned

You can report a vehicle you suspect is abandoned in complete confidence - you need not even give your name and address.

If you see an abandoned vehicle please call the free phone hot line number on 0800 169 4466, or contact First Call (see above right) and give the Call Centre staff the following details about it:

• Vehicle make
• Model
• Colour
• Registration number (if one is shown)
• It's condition
• It's location
• Some idea of how long and it has been there.