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Car left in company car park - Leif

I work for a small company with offices next to a small court yard. There is an area reserved for parking, with each space marked with an indication of the owner. Parking is difficult, and we often park two cars deep, nose to tail. This morning there was a Nissan Micra in one of our spaces, causing huge disruption as it effectively fills three spaces. Normally we move our cars as and when one of use arrives or leaves, but this car is immobile. It has appeared before, before we arrive, and is still there when we leave.

What can we do? I believe this is a civil matter so the police do not care.

We cannot block them in, as they leave after us. I suppose we could find someone witha second car who is willing to leave it as a blocker.

Of course it would be wrong to let down the tyres. Were someone to do such a dreadful act, would it be a criminal act? Hopefully no-one does that.

Car left in company car park - galileo

Buy a wheel clamp and fit it to the offender. Or put up a notice warning of clamping first.

Car left in company car park - FP

Galileo's advice is not good.

"Private land owners and companies acting on their behalf can’t clamp your car just because you’ve broken parking rules on their land. They can issue you with a parking ticket. They are also allowed to put barriers up to keep your car on their land or to stop you getting on their land in the first place." (from tinyurl.com/lh9ws9m - the Citizen's Advice Bureau)

A relatively cheap barrier that can be secured after the OP's colleagues leave would be better - maybe a chain and padlock strong enough - and tight enough - to cause problems. You could add a notice that cutting or breaking the chain would be criminal damage.

Car left in company car park - bathtub tom

A number of solutions:

Lift it and leave it on yellow lines. "Not me guv, dunno who did that".

Lift a driven wheel and put a brick under the car somewhere so that wheel remains off the surface - result, no drive.

Stuff something tight up the exhaust - it won't start. Combined with 1 should guarantee a ticket.

Car left in company car park - Avant

I presume you've already tried a polite note under the windscreen wiper: that should always be the first step just in case the owner is genuinely and naively unaware that this is a private car park (unlikely, but perhaps slightly less unlikely given that it's a Nissan Micra).

If the driver still parks there, you could stick a sticky label on the windscreen with a clear message - best not in the actual line of the driver's sight but some place where it can be annoying. Lick every inch of the label.

If all else fails I do like the idea of something stuck up the exhaust.

Car left in company car park - gordonbennet

There was always going to be a downside to the abolishion of private clampers, not all parkers are sainted maiden aunts getting a prescription made up for a sick friend.

Peronally i'd drag the horrid thing out of the gate with a substantial vehicle, preferably leaving it on some double yellows or obstructing the public highway and deny all knowledge.

Car left in company car park - kerbed enthusiasm

This made me chuckle! I'm sure that it's suggested with tongue firmly in cheek...

Car left in company car park - Happy Blue!

I doubt it.

I have done this on a couple of occasions. The owner has abandoned the vehicle so if left on private land I have had no compunction to drag it onto the public highway and then advise the local council that there is an untaxed car waiting for their ticket people. If the owner wishes to complain, then he can, but he will have to identify himself and open himself up to the monetary costs he was trying to avoid.

People who dump cars on other's land are effectively stealing.

Car left in company car park - Ben 10

I'm sure if that person has to regularly reinflate four tyres on a regular basis they might "tyre" of parking there. Just wait til it gets dark

Edited by Ben 10 on 27/07/2014 at 18:36

Car left in company car park - concrete

I agree with Avant. A polite notice attached to the vehicle should be the first step. If that is ignored then it is definitely enemy action and other means employed. My wifes' employer installed the fold down metal post bollards which worked a treat. Good luck and let us know the outcome.

Concrete

Car left in company car park - daveyjp

If the vehicle is causing an obstruction, is dangerous or preventing day to day business being carried out the Police have the power to remove it and charge the owner. Getting them to actually do it is a different matter.

Car left in company car park - AlexT

Do you have cctv where you work? Look at what time he / she comes to pick up the car after you leave and wait for them the next day at said time and have a "quiet word". Or you could just leave a note... Or draw obscenities în non permanent marker on vis car, that should give out a clear message.

Car left in company car park - tdc

Further to previous suggestion and if polite dialogue fails...

1)Measure exhaust outlet dia

2)Choose suitable sized potato and saw off two foot section of broom handle.

3)Ram said object well up said orafice using said tool.

I once watched a mate doing a three-point turn in his Mk2 Escort,after which his engine spluttered to a halt.He sat there turning the engine over until I approached him to point out that he had reversed into a grassy knoll and that he might like to take a look at his exhaust outlet.Cleared a sod of turf out and away he went. :)

Car left in company car park - Leif
Thanks all. While at my desk I realised the car was pulling out and legged after it. The young woman driving claimed she did not know it was private parking. Yeah right. So, problem solved. Someone trying to get free parking cos they didn't want to pay. We used to have cameras but the company pulled out due to lack of infringement.