Targeted effort sees many vehicles taken away

In a multi-agency operation, 34 abandoned vehicles have been seized from an area of Blackburn.

On Wednesday 26 November, the Police, the DVSA and Blackburn with Darwen Council undertook a joint enforcement operation, called Road Ready Revamp, or Bin the Banger; to tackle non-roadworthy vehicles that had been left for an extended period of time on Walker Street, Walpole Street and Weir Street in Blackburn.

The vehicles obstructed other road users and posed safety risks, contributing to environmental hazards.

34 vehicles were seized in total. 28 by DVSA due to no tax and being on the highway and a further 5 by the Police for being abandoned and non-roadworthy and a health and safety risk to members of the public. A further vehicle was also seized as it was suspected to be stolen.

Owners have been identified where possible so that the appropriate enforcement action can be taken.

Councillor Quesir Mahmood, Executive Member for Growth and Development said:

Due to a multi-agency approach we’ve been able to have a huge impact on an area that had an appalling number of abandoned vehicles there.

This operation is a fine example of how we won’t tolerate those who try to take advantage of our borough.

Councillor Jim Smith, Executive Member for Environment and Resident Services said:

Abandoned vehicles can cause a real headache to communities who want to live in a clean and clutter free environment and to tackle this, we have a dedicated member of staff who looks into residents’ concerns about vehicles they think might have been abandoned.

If you have any concerns about a vehicle you think might be abandoned, don’t hesitate to contact us.

If you think a vehicle may be abandoned, you can report it via our website. If the car reaches our criteria for abandonment and is found to have no tax and MOT, we can undertake a search for the registered keeper and then issue a 7-day removal notice.

If the owner responds and moves the vehicle, no further action is taken. If they do not respond or the report comes back as having no registered keeper, the vehicle is then removed by a contractor on behalf of the council and held for 7 days, before it is dismantled.

We can remove vehicles on the highway or on council land.

Signs that a vehicle may have been abandoned are as follows:

• Flat or removed tyres
• Vehicle has not moved for some time
• Broken or damaged windows
• Vandalism
• Mould growth on the inside
• General rubbish in the vehicle
• Missing number plates
• Vehicle is unlocked

If the vehicle has no tax and/or MOT but has none of the signs of being abandoned, it should be reported to the DVLA.