police not interested

[wallis1007]

I'll try and keep this as short as poss. I sold a car recently only to get a nip come through the door a week ago and a parking fine arrive today. The person that I sold the car to has apparantly parked in a disabled parking area. With the fine came a picture of the car. The car is not the car I sold even though it has the reg. No of the car I sold. the car is a different model,colour and a later version of the car I sold. It looks like the car has been ringed (No. plates swapped from a different car.) I reported this to the police who told me that they can't /won't do anything as no crime has been committed. I have given them the id of the person who bought the car but as this was in a different area it's not their problem. Surely there is a good possibility that this car is being driven around with no insurance etc.How do the police expect respect when they don't do their job and pass the buck. How simple would it be to go and check the car out at the address that has been given to them. Sorry , this turned out to be more of a moan then a question but I was shocked at their attitude.

[WendyS]

The attitude of the police is disappointing but the main thing is to clear yourself of any responsibility for the parking fine.
.
When you sold the car, did you write and notify the DVLA in Swansea and give them the name of the new owner?

[wallis1007]

The v5 was sent off to the dvla. I have spoken to them today and they said that they never received the v5 which to me seems an easy opt out. This also means that the new owner hasn't applied for a new document. This suggests to me that the new owner didn't intend to drive the car legally. They asked me if I had kept the address of the new owner, but as I pointed out, once the v5 is sent off that was the end of it as far as I was concerned.

I suggest if anyone sends off a v5 that they copy it first.

[Peter Pedant]

did you keep copies of any of your old documents ?

the fella (a girlie would neva behave like this !) you sold it to. have yougot his signature on anything that erm looks like a contract ?

No, well this will teach you.Just write and go on writing to the relevant authorities and explain what has happened. and also to the DVLA. IN the end, they will accept that you have sold the car on. Have you got a letter saying you have stopped insurance ? That sort of kinda persuades people you've got rid of the car.

This has happened to me. Dont delay ! Someone tried to sue me for running over them eight weeks after I had sold it. I mean you know, forget it, it was ridiculous, and luckily my photo freely given, didnt match the driver what did it - whom I think, HAD given my name. The whooping shark like solicitor went very quiet after that.

aand then it was abandoned in Little Bogston on the Moor, and Little Bogston RDC wanted to dun me for �750 for doint something to it - towing it away I think.

And yes I do now keep copies - not difficult in these days of computers and scanners - so the NEXT time it happened, the fella I sold it onto, couldnt believe how quickly the Police got round to him.....

Any crappy old contract- Joe Blogss has sold his rusty old vectra ABC 123 to jack sprat for �1500 pounds, 22 Dec 2006 and two signatures -will do.

the two signauatres needless to say, should NOT be your own.....

Good Luck
This is a pain.


PP

[lady_p_gold]

So the police were given the address by you, did you call in to the police station or phone ? I do find it very odd and the police are always calling at addresses to check out cars, so I would try reporting it again as I assume it is a crime to put a false plate on a vehicle.

[bigmango]

The police should have taken action. Return to the police station and make the same statement. If you get the same response, ask to speak to the duty Inspector and make a complaint. If the 'crime' was committed in another area, it is the duty of the police in your area to take the complaint and then pass it on to the respective force or division. With regard to the parking ticket, write back to the sender, explain the situation and if needs be go to court and plead not guilty. Have you a photo of your old car as evidence? Going back to the police, it is their duty to investigate and you can complain about neglect of duty. You can be assured that complaint WILL be investigated, which will in turn mean your original complaint will be investigated.

[SimonGent]

I understand your frustration, but I'm not sure that this would actually fall into the remit of crime - surely it's a vehicle registration issue which is dealt with by the DVLA and the parking issue is a civil matter with the council - the police only deal with red route parking and highway obstruction.

[wallis1007]

Thanks for your answers everyone.SG I don't expect the police to deal with the parking or speeding offence, I was just surprised that they were not interested in the car that has had it's identity changed. Seems a bit suss. to me.
PP. You are right in what you say, but just a thought. If I had got name address and signature of dodgy bloke, how would I know if it was correct?

[Yorkie580]

Part 1...

Wallis1007... I understand your frustration.

All the police could really do would be to put a marker on the national computer - but this would be done by the DVLA anyway. In effect no "crime" has actually been committed at this stage - there may be a registration offence but not really a criminal offence. The DVLA should investigate this - there should be a form that you can obtain, maybe online.

Inform the council that the parking matter is in dispute and the fine should be frozen pending the outcome of the DVLA enquiries. They should also tell you about how to appeal against the parking fine.

Regarding the NIP - was that for the parking or for speeding/red light offence? If it was for speeding/red-light, write back explaining what has happened. It may be that you are asked to go to court but not likely - if you are, again all you need to do is explain everything. Have you got any witnesses to say where you were at the time of the alleged offences? (Will certainly help a lot later down the line).

[Yorkie580]

Part 2...

Regarding a complaint about police - there's not really a great deal of grounds for complaint. As I've said, this isn't frustrating though it is; this really isn't a matter for the police to investigate. It's a bit of a fallacy that complaining will automatically invoke investigations. A complaint will be recorded but nothing will go onto the officer's file unless there is evidence of a breach of the code of conduct or police regulations.

It sounds like it was a poor explanation of the system by whoever you spoke to. The officer/member of support staff would likely to get a form saying that they made you feel that you weren't being listened to, the officer can then respond to it. It won't go on their disciplinary file and you won't be able to see any response made by the officer. It would just be shown as �Local Resolution� which was a scheme introduced by the Home Office to help clear the backlog of complaints that had to be fully investigated even though there was nothing to investigate.

Hope this helps. Good luck.