possible cloned car - rapidly becoming a mess
Discussion
two weeks ago i received an NOP for jumping a red light, reading on the alleged offence took place on a Tuesday afternoon, in Bristol (maybe 100 miles from where I live) while I was at work in central London and the car was parked at home.
by return of post I replied stating where I was at the time, that my security card and client meetings could verify this (along with a few hundred colleagues, my e-mail records etc) and that the only other person insured to drive the car and with access to the keys (my dad) was also at work in central London. I also asked them for their advise and assistance in tracking down this bogus car and for photographic evidence.
the reply, just received, is that they will not provide the photographic evidence and instead want me to provide them with a photo of the back of my car as they state that the registration plate is correct and that it is also a Mini Cooper S.
now assuming they aren't calling my bluff and that this is indeed an identical car then where exactly does that leave me??
by return of post I replied stating where I was at the time, that my security card and client meetings could verify this (along with a few hundred colleagues, my e-mail records etc) and that the only other person insured to drive the car and with access to the keys (my dad) was also at work in central London. I also asked them for their advise and assistance in tracking down this bogus car and for photographic evidence.
the reply, just received, is that they will not provide the photographic evidence and instead want me to provide them with a photo of the back of my car as they state that the registration plate is correct and that it is also a Mini Cooper S.
now assuming they aren't calling my bluff and that this is indeed an identical car then where exactly does that leave me??
The burden of proof is on them is it not? Innocent until proven guilty. If you end up in court with your witnesses then I can see an easy win for you.
With higher and more widespread 'congestion' charging I can see this getting way more common in the future - having your own numberplate is becoming a HUGE liability..
With higher and more widespread 'congestion' charging I can see this getting way more common in the future - having your own numberplate is becoming a HUGE liability..
I'd put a very distinctive large sticker in the Back window, Bet the one in the Photo doesn't have one!!!
You could also get a plate made up with one of those Euro bits on the side (different to what you got already!)
Or you could just send them the pic, If it wasn't you then there will be something different!
Or maybe yours is the Clone??
You could also get a plate made up with one of those Euro bits on the side (different to what you got already!)
Or you could just send them the pic, If it wasn't you then there will be something different!
Or maybe yours is the Clone??
I went through this recently with the Met Police.
Fortunately they dropped it immediately 'on reviewing the evidence'
Write back to them saying that it was not you, a photo from them would be very helpful and that you have contacted the DVLA and the Local Police as you are seriously concerned that your car has been cloned.
The local police will be enormously unhelpful, probably transferring you between 15 different community outreach officers before saying that no crime has been committed and the DVLA will write back confirmed that they have appended your record.
The place to prove your innocence is in court, not on some protracted paper chase or photographic exercise.
Fortunately they dropped it immediately 'on reviewing the evidence'
Write back to them saying that it was not you, a photo from them would be very helpful and that you have contacted the DVLA and the Local Police as you are seriously concerned that your car has been cloned.
The local police will be enormously unhelpful, probably transferring you between 15 different community outreach officers before saying that no crime has been committed and the DVLA will write back confirmed that they have appended your record.
The place to prove your innocence is in court, not on some protracted paper chase or photographic exercise.
It's for them to prove it was your car, not the other way around.
You know, presumably, exactly where your car was at the time, you know where you were and neither you nor your car were at the place alleged to be the location of a traffic offence. Thus, you have gibven them your 'alibi' already.
I would write back explaining this and inviting them to send an officer to investigate further as you are concerned that an offence has been committed by a car carrying the same index mark as yours.
List your witnesses and their addresses, including your employer, and then see what they do. If they issue a summons, you have an absolute defence in court and will win both the case and the costs of you and all your witnesses.
You know, presumably, exactly where your car was at the time, you know where you were and neither you nor your car were at the place alleged to be the location of a traffic offence. Thus, you have gibven them your 'alibi' already.
I would write back explaining this and inviting them to send an officer to investigate further as you are concerned that an offence has been committed by a car carrying the same index mark as yours.
List your witnesses and their addresses, including your employer, and then see what they do. If they issue a summons, you have an absolute defence in court and will win both the case and the costs of you and all your witnesses.
combemarshal said:
I'd put a very distinctive large sticker in the Back window, Bet the one in the Photo doesn't have one!!!
You could also get a plate made up with one of those Euro bits on the side (different to what you got already!)
Or you could just send them the pic, If it wasn't you then there will be something different!
Or maybe yours is the Clone??
Ignore this advice to submit falsified evidence when you are innocent. You could also get a plate made up with one of those Euro bits on the side (different to what you got already!)
Or you could just send them the pic, If it wasn't you then there will be something different!
Or maybe yours is the Clone??
Take a digital photo and e-mail it to them.
Had this myself and it was dropped immediately. It is a very common problem.
Unfortunately there is a tendency for the BiB to get you to prove your innocence. i.e. do their legwork for them.
Understandable from a practical 'just being helpful ' viewpoint - unfortunately you can end up going all the way to court because the BiB have become too used to this.
That, and the law's (not talking BiB here) shift towards becoming a tax collection agency for those f***wits in government, means they're more concerned with getting a result than whether or not you're guilty.
Give them the photo, might even be a different colour car.
Had this myself and it was dropped immediately. It is a very common problem.
Unfortunately there is a tendency for the BiB to get you to prove your innocence. i.e. do their legwork for them.
Understandable from a practical 'just being helpful ' viewpoint - unfortunately you can end up going all the way to court because the BiB have become too used to this.
That, and the law's (not talking BiB here) shift towards becoming a tax collection agency for those f***wits in government, means they're more concerned with getting a result than whether or not you're guilty.
Give them the photo, might even be a different colour car.
I would send them the photo. They most likely suspect it is a cloned vehicle or they would come round in person or if your some distance away send another force. I also think bearing in mind its tax payers money that you saving that can be spent elsewhere your also doing the econmic thing. If you do change the back of the vehicle your liable to get yourself in to a whole host of trouble when you haven't done anything wrong. The sooner you do this as well the sooner you won't get anymore NIP's. You could as suggested go to court and make the police look silly.. but as that would cost you a days works and line the pockets of a lawyer I think the photo is easier and will have the same result.
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