Legal Advice Need On Brazen Trespassing

[132]

Fellow PHers,

I need some advice on a situation I have at a commercial property I own in London. It is a shop with a large rear garden. The garden is not used for anything, so someone has taken the liberty to break off my lock, park their car on my land and then put their own lock on it!!! I know there is s shortage of parking in the area, but this is taking the pi$$.

This is the second time it is happened and to say that I am angry is a gross understatement...

The first time it happened, I broke the trespassers lock off and reported it to the Police. Within a few days the vehicle was gone.

Now it has happened again, but now the Police do not want to know.

What is my best course of action here? Any 'legal' advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Rog

Edited by 132 on Wednesday 2nd April 08:13

[morebeanz]

<typical PH response>

Remove the car piece by piece? I hear eBay is good for parts...

[Lost soul]

oi ger orff my land

[lamboman100]

Contact local newspaper.

[steviegunn]

Dig a pit at the entrance, cover it with a flimsy board, wait for car to drive into pit, video it and post on YouTube for our entertainment.

In all seriousness, block the access with a bollard or concrete barrier.

[rohrl]

Either turn it into a car park or put your own lock back accompanied by a sign advising that cars left will be removed.

[mcflurry]

Build a wall

[CallorFold]

Clamp it? Let the air out of the tyres?

I like the idea of digging a pit and recording it.

It's your land - the possibilities are endless here

[132]

Guys, whilst I am seriously tempted to dig a pit, build a wall etc, I am concerned that someone as brazen as this could come back and damage my property in retaliation. Unfortunately, I live a long way from there, so cannot keep a regular eye on it.
I have just contacted the local authority and, like the Police, are not interested…

[smiffy180]

CallorFold said:

Clamp it? Let the air out of the tyres?

I like the idea of digging a pit and recording it.

It's your land - the possibilities are endless here

I like these ideas.

Get a camera set up to internet so you can watch it 24/7 without the worry?

[hotchy]

Buy the biggest lock you can find, so it cant be broken off with his car inside. Or pay a local tow company to tow it off your land.

[mike-r]

lamboman100 said:

Contact local newspaper.

Alert the media!

I don't see how 'we're not interested' is in any way a reasonable response. Find out who isn't interested and go park on their front lawn.

[dingg]

have a bonfire?

[132]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

They said they would only come out if it was on th road and blocking a dropped kerb. The fact the the car is now on private property leaves it me to deal with.

[morebeanz]

Mate with a Land Rover, tow it to an obstructing location away from your place and then phone the police...

...then take the time to secure your proerty adequately. If they are breaking your lock off, make sure you have a CCTV to video and then prosecute for B&E.

[nurseholliday]

Where in London? I need a new parking space...

[dudleybloke]

dog poo under the door handles.
every day he parks there.

[Snowboy]

If you aren't using the land at all try this;
Put a note on the car a bit like this;

Dear Car Owner,
I'm the land owner and you're illegally parked on my land.
If you would like to legally park your car here please contact me on xxxxx and we can have a chat about a reasonable long term parking fee.

If you'd prefer not to discuss this then could you please remove your car by xx/xx/2014 otherwise I shall have the car removed.

Best Regards,
Friendly Land Owner

[lamboman100]

steviegunn said:

Dig a pit at the entrance, cover it with a flimsy board, wait for car to drive into pit, video it and post on YouTube for our entertainment.

Lol.

Some rural farmers now dig pits about 2-feet deep and cover them in grass / branches / bushes behind gates to deter / punish unwanted drivers entering their fields. Deep enough to stop cars and vans, but not tractors. But the risk of minor injury, compensation-lawsuits or violent retribution are quite high.

[carinaman]

What is the car?