Stickers on windscreen - criminal damage?
Discussion
Hi,
One for the legal bods. A private un-adopted road. Was resurfaced at great expense by the residents. The road is less than a mile from several University buildings and a major Hospital. The road is pretty much bang where the Council street permit scheme ends.
There was a resident who used to put notes under peoples wipers stating the road was private and not to park on there (and more lately I have been told he was using stickers on the windscreen). There was a sign at each side of the entrance stating the road was private and for residents only - no parking.
Recently, the signs have gone and the road is now choked with cars both sides (and across resident's driveways) all day, every day. I was chatting with one of the residents and enquired if the road was now in Council ownership. He said not:
All the residents have had a letter from the local PCSO stating it is illegal to put stickers on windscreens as it is criminal damage and although the road is private this does not mean non-residents or visitors cannot park on there. Apparently enquiries with the Council have said the same.
I would say the letter is wrong on both counts as a sticker is removable (although a hassle) so not criminal damage and members of the public don't have the right to use a private road as public on street parking if there are signs up saying not to?
So, are the police and the local council wrong? Can the council decide people can park on there at will even though they take no responsibility for the surface of the road or the street lights (they are still the old old cast iron ones whereas the road feeding into it which is public has had the new LED lights put up)?
In the interim, the signs have had to be taken down and the road is now double parked and the verges are ruined. They've also been told no barrier can be put on because of emergency access?
One for the legal bods. A private un-adopted road. Was resurfaced at great expense by the residents. The road is less than a mile from several University buildings and a major Hospital. The road is pretty much bang where the Council street permit scheme ends.
There was a resident who used to put notes under peoples wipers stating the road was private and not to park on there (and more lately I have been told he was using stickers on the windscreen). There was a sign at each side of the entrance stating the road was private and for residents only - no parking.
Recently, the signs have gone and the road is now choked with cars both sides (and across resident's driveways) all day, every day. I was chatting with one of the residents and enquired if the road was now in Council ownership. He said not:
All the residents have had a letter from the local PCSO stating it is illegal to put stickers on windscreens as it is criminal damage and although the road is private this does not mean non-residents or visitors cannot park on there. Apparently enquiries with the Council have said the same.
I would say the letter is wrong on both counts as a sticker is removable (although a hassle) so not criminal damage and members of the public don't have the right to use a private road as public on street parking if there are signs up saying not to?
So, are the police and the local council wrong? Can the council decide people can park on there at will even though they take no responsibility for the surface of the road or the street lights (they are still the old old cast iron ones whereas the road feeding into it which is public has had the new LED lights put up)?
In the interim, the signs have had to be taken down and the road is now double parked and the verges are ruined. They've also been told no barrier can be put on because of emergency access?
I posted a thread asking a similar question previously... might be worth a read
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=16...
In a nut shell, you can put them on a side window but not a windscreen as that impeeds vision.
I read elsewhere that it is technically illegal but they would have to pursue you in the court and and evidence damages in order to secure compensation.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=16...
In a nut shell, you can put them on a side window but not a windscreen as that impeeds vision.
I read elsewhere that it is technically illegal but they would have to pursue you in the court and and evidence damages in order to secure compensation.
Presumably there's nothing to stop them using low adhesion stickers like post it notes?
Perhaps like this? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3138744/NE...
Perhaps like this? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3138744/NE...
Private road owned by the residents or 'private road' which is just an unadopted road maintained by the residents?
I live on the latter, we have no control over who drives on it or parks on it. Some neighbours think its private property..... it isnt but people get ideas above their station about the sign.
I live on the latter, we have no control over who drives on it or parks on it. Some neighbours think its private property..... it isnt but people get ideas above their station about the sign.
Greendubber said:
Private road owned by the residents or 'private road' which is just an unadopted road maintained by the residents?
This. Before worrying what brand of sticky is or isn't allowed on your notices, do your research and be 100% certain of where boundaries are, who ones what, etc. I'd be surprised (not shocked, just surprised) if both the police and the Council had got it wrong.Greendubber said:
I suspect its a newish estate which the residents pay a maintenance fee to an agency for street lighting and grass cutting etc, just like the private road I live on.
Anyone can drive on it or park on it, I have zero say over it as my control ends where by front garden does.
No its an old road Edwardian era. Interesting point about the street lighting - as mentioned the posts haven't been replaced, the road is an oval and the top 50% is 'private' and the bottom 50% is Council owned.Anyone can drive on it or park on it, I have zero say over it as my control ends where by front garden does.
Greendubber said:
Private road owned by the residents or 'private road' which is just an unadopted road maintained by the residents?
I live on the latter, we have no control over who drives on it or parks on it. Some neighbours think its private property..... it isnt but people get ideas above their station about the sign.
Interesting. The signs have always said private but you may be right. I live on the latter, we have no control over who drives on it or parks on it. Some neighbours think its private property..... it isnt but people get ideas above their station about the sign.
A long time ago in a place far away, when I was a naughty little boy, we found it a great wheeze to push a potato up an exhaust pipe. They never shot out like a pop gun, only left the drivers perplexed when the car started only to stop seconds later. Would such an exercise cause damage to modern management systems ??
Vron said:
I would say the letter is wrong... as a sticker is removable (although a hassle) so not criminal damage...
The fact that that the damage is not permanent doesn't necessarily mean it wouldn't amount to criminal damage. If the sticker required more than minimal effort to remove it may well be considered criminal damage. Cat
No Police wouldnt generally record this as damage. I remember 'Police aware' stickers are a right sod to remove never had any of these reported as damage. At my Police HQ workplace - wrongly parked cars are subject to the sticker treatment though theres always a first time for everything I suppose. It'll hinge on whether the stickers are lawfully placed.
Is removing a sticker rectifying damage?
Is removing a sticker rectifying damage?
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