We got the reg number, so how do we track them?

[BIG DUNC]

To cut a long story short, someone reversed into Mrs Big Dunc's car in a fuel station today.
Then they drove off without leaving their details. However, it was a green Merc, we have the reg number and a brief description of the driver. The police are not interested ( it was on private property, after all it is a public garage ). Its not worth claiming on our insurence as the damage is probably only slightly more than the excess, and I don't want to spend the next five years saying I have made a claim every time I need to get a quote.
So how do we go about getting the registered keepers address, and assuming we do, is it just our word against their's. Conveniently, the garage CCTV shows the Merc, and Mrs Big Dunc, but not the actual impact as the camera angle was wrong.

[toni896]

drop a line to dvla

[7db]

Why aren't plod interested? That's a fail to stop -- I thought hit and runs were front page news on the BBC today.

[BIG DUNC]

Plod were very interested until someone called me back to say they could not take further action as it was private property. I went down the station, and spoke to someone who was at first interested, then said the same thing. Their argument is that it is not on the public highway, and no one was injured, and its a matter for the insurence companies to argue. I don't want this to turn into a plod bashing thread as I know they are busy etc, and this appeared to be policy rather than one person making an excuse. For the record, I will be writing my MP a letter.
I will contact DVLA tomorrow.

Edited by BIG DUNC on Thursday 2nd November 22:36

[Plotloss]

Leaving the scene, failure to supply...

In a place where you can reasonably expect the public to be?

I'd be having another word with the law to be honest...

[andmole]

BIG DUNC said:

Plod were very interested until someone called me back to say they could not take further action as it was private property. I went down the station, and spoke to someone who was at first interested, then said the same thing. Their argument is that it is not on the public highway, and no one was injured, and its a matter for the insurence companies to argue. I don't want this to turn into a plod bashing thread as I know they are busy etc, and this appeared to be policy rather than one person making an excuse. For the record, I will be writing my MP a letter.
I will contact DVLA tomorrow.

Edited by BIG DUNC on Thursday 2nd November 22:36

Wasn't there a story in the news some time ago that people who drove like plonkers in supermarket car parks (boy racers/burnouts etc), were going to be prosecuted as if they were on the public highway? Whats the difference here? Anybody (BiB) care to explain?

[BIG DUNC]

Yes, actualy, I will go back. Am I best to ask to speak to someone senior, or ask to submit a complaint? Whats the best procedure to adopt in order to get results ( rather than just piss them all off ). Sorry, I have a long and bad day ( not just this, a few other things have gone wrong to ) and now I have had a glass of wine too many as well....

[davidra]

I had a similar thing, where my parked car was hit; I claimed through insurance and it turned into a year-long legal battle despite my having independent witnesses of the accident (I wasn't there at the time). To this day I have to report it as a costs-not-recovered claim on my insurance, even though I had to pay for some of the repairs myself and the other party admitted liability in the end.

My advice would be not to go via insurance unless you are sure you trust them not to screw it up.

dave

[mph999]

Perhaps remind the police that the next time he does it will prob. be on the public road, so they may wish to "nip it in the bud". If you've got the number, not much work for them to do really ....

I just hope for you that it traces to the current owner.

Martin

[oggs]

I thought if the public had access it was deemed a public highway

[Parrot of Doom]

Are the police not interested in crimes on private property then?


*murders neighbours*

[vonhosen]

Parrot of Doom said:

Are the police not interested in crimes on private property then?


*murders neighbours*

Of course they are, but the Road Traffic Act doesn't apply (there for no offence under it) on private land to which the public don't have access.

My opinion though, on the location given by the OP, is that it is a place to which the RTA applies & the Police should be reporting it & dealing with it.

Edited by vonhosen on Friday 3rd November 06:33

[BIG DUNC]

I spoke a nice girl at the DVLA who has put a form in the post. It will cost £2.50 to get the info which I reckon is good value to hassle them, even if we don't get any money out of them.
Last night the police suggested that my insurence company had access to the DVLA data base and could give me the info, but my insurence broker said they won't go down this route unless I make a claim, which I DON'T want to do so that rules that out.
I will go back down the station tonight and try again to get the police interested. Friday night, busy town centre, I bet I will be there most important customer!!
Must get on with some real work now..

[7db]

Phone your local nick -
"Hello, I'd like to speak to an Inspector, please".
"Yes, it will be fine if he calls me back later".

[madleee]

What do you intend to do when you have the onfo of the Merc driver?

[herewego]

If you filled your tank up at that station and drove off without paying I bet the police would be interested.

[andmole]

vonhosen said:

Parrot of Doom said:

Are the police not interested in crimes on private property then?


*murders neighbours*

Of course they are, but the Road Traffic Act doesn't apply (there for no offence under it) on private land to which the public don't have access.

My opinion though, on the location given by the OP, is that it is a place to which the RTA applies & the Police should be reporting it & dealing with it.

Edited by vonhosen on Friday 3rd November 06:33

That's what I thought, the key phrase being, "to which the public don't have access". This seems, (unfortunately), like another case where the police can't be bothered.

[herewego]

andmole said:

vonhosen said:

Parrot of Doom said:

Are the police not interested in crimes on private property then?


*murders neighbours*

Of course they are, but the Road Traffic Act doesn't apply (there for no offence under it) on private land to which the public don't have access.

My opinion though, on the location given by the OP, is that it is a place to which the RTA applies & the Police should be reporting it & dealing with it.

Edited by vonhosen on Friday 3rd November 06:33

That's what I thought, the key phrase being, "to which the public don't have access". This seems, (unfortunately), like another case where the police can't be bothered.

That's my impression too, since I had the same problem following an incident in a caravan park. I'd be interested to know what is the true situation. It would be very strange if after an incident we called the police for help and they lied to us about the law.

Edited by herewego on Friday 3rd November 10:24

[mmm-five]

Alternatively, go back to the same garage and start doing doughnuts or burn-outs and see how long they take to turn up. If they do, you can proudly announce the the BIB, the names of those PCs you've spoken to that state it's private land and tell them to fack off

[BliarOut]

vonhosen said:

Parrot of Doom said:

Are the police not interested in crimes on private property then?


*murders neighbours*

Of course they are, but the Road Traffic Act doesn't apply (there for no offence under it) on private land to which the public don't have access.

My opinion though, on the location given by the OP, is that it is a place to which the RTA applies & the Police should be reporting it & dealing with it.

Edited by vonhosen on Friday 3rd November 06:33

So it's legal to drive a car on a petrol station forecourt whilst over the legal limit?