Stroud District Council

Abandoned vehicles

The removal of abandoned and burnt out vehicles is a key issue for improving Community Safety within Stroud District

Abandoned vehicles have a negative effect on the quality of the local environment Abandoned Vehicle image
  • they attract vandalism/rubbish
  • they can be the result /means to commit crime
  • there is a risk of explosion/injury

The problem of abandoned vehicles has become progressively worse due to a number of factors:-

  • fluctuating scrap metal price
  • fine for unlicensed/untaxed vehicle is often greater than the value of the vehicle
  • vehicles used for crime are often abandoned after the crime
  • the high cost of motoring and parking fines
  • owner has moved away

Abandoned Vehicle image

Abandoned Vehicle image

Abandoned Vehicle image		 Q1 What is an abandoned vehicle?

A vehicle is only abandoned when the authorised local authority officer decides that it has been left without lawful authority,(Refuse Disposal Amenity Act 1978).

How to tell whether a vehicle has been abandoned

  • is it taxed?
  • are the tyres flat?
  • is litter piling up around it or weeds growing around vehicle indicating it has not been moved for some time?
  • is windscreen/window broken?
  • is there mould inside or outside the vehicle?
  • is there waste in the car - tyres, old newspapers general rubbish?
  • is the vehicle number plate missing?
  • are there wires hanging from the dashboard?
  • do local residents, businesses etc know how long the vehicle has been there?


Abandoned Vehicle image

Abandoned Vehicle image

Abandoned Vehicle image 		Q2 What should I do if I see an abandoned vehicle?

Do not move, enter or even touch an abandoned vehicle

They are a health and safety risk, can be classed as, or contain, hazardous waste and can often pose a fire risk. On some occasions, abandoned vehicles have been used for crime related activities, in which case the police may wish to seize the vehicle for investigative purposes.

NEVER approach a burning or burnt out vehicle. Even after they are burnt out, they are still dangerous and are a hazard to the public. Burnt paint, rubber and other materials may be toxic or corrosive and very harmful.

Please report this to Stroud District Council which will deal with the problem. However, if the vehicle is still burning, call the fire service immediately.

All reported burnt out vehicles are removed as soon as possible. Once the vehicle has been collected it will be inspected and identified by Gloucestershire Police Vehicle Examiners.



Abandoned Vehicle image		 Q3 How do I report an abandoned vehicle?

You can report an abandoned vehicle in these ways

  • download our online form
  • phone 0800 180 4140 Gloucestershire Arson Task Force this is a 24 hour Freephone number
  • phone 01453 754379 during normal office hours

If you are reporting an abandoned vehicle please give the following information:

  • registration number of vehicle - it is very important that this is correct
  • make and model
  • colour
  • exact location
  • is the vehicle taxed?
  • condition of vehicle - good, smashed glass, wrecked, burnt out

All information is given in strict confidence and it would help our investigation if you could please provide:

  • your full name
  • your full address
  • your contact details


DVLA Logo- Gloucestershire Police Logo 		Q4 What happens after I have reported an abandoned vehicle?
  • Your report is logged onto our new Gloucestershire Reporting Abandoned Vehicles Enterprise database and you will be asked if you would like to receive updates.
  • A Driver and Vehicles Licensing Agency check will be carried out before inspection of the vehicle is made by a Council Officer. We aim to inspect 80% of all reported vehicles within 48 hours. During inspection the Council Officer will complete a report form which gives details of the condition of the vehicle and the type of action required.
  • The officer will also photograph the vehicle and may carry out local enquiries to establish if there is a keeper for the vehicle.
  • If the vehicle is considered to be abandoned the Council Officer will carry out a check with Gloucestershire Police before removing the vehicle.

  Q5 I have a vehicle I no longer want - how can I get rid of it?

You can use our FREE 'Take Back Scheme'. Download the application pack, complete the form and return it to Community Safety Service, Stroud District Council, Ebley Mill, Westward Road, Stroud, Glos GL5 4UB.
We will arrange for our contractors to contact you and remove your vehicle within 4 days of receipt of your completed application at Stroud District Council.

PDF documentPDF  Take Back Scheme Application (PDF 26KB) - 24/11/2006


  Q6 How do I report an untaxed vehicle?
  • phone DVLA Enforcement Telephone Hotline on 0800 0325202 this is Freephone number
  • online to DVLA

  Q7 How quickly do you remove vehicles?

If the vehicle is considered to be abandoned we aim to remove the vehicle according to the following:

  • 3 hours if the vehicle is considered to be in a dangerous condition
  • 48 hours for intact vehicles
  • 4 days for 'Take Back' vehicles

  Q8 My vehicle has been taken, how do I reclaim it?

If you believe your vehicle has been removed by Stroud District Council please contact us on 01453 754379.

If your vehicle has been removed by Stroud District Council you will need to arrange a meeting with an officer from the Community Safety Service. At this meeting you will need to bring:

  • driving licence including photo ID and one of the following:
    valid passport/birth certificate/rent book/recent bill
  • V5 logbook or proof of ownership
  • release fee of £105
  • storage fee at £12 per day
  • payment is by cash, debit or credit card

Abandoned Vehicle image

Abandoned Vehicle image

Abandoned Vehicle image 		Q9 What action can be taken against someone who abandons a vehicle?

The Community Safety Officer for Vehicles will determine whether a vehicle is abandoned under the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978. Abandoning a vehicle on any land in the open air or on any other land forming part of a highway is a criminal offence under Section 2 of the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978.

It is punishable by a maximum fine of £2,500 and/or three months in prison. An abandoned vehicle, once it has reached the end of its useful life, can also be classified as 'hazardous waste', thus also making the action of abandoning such a vehicle an offence under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

From 1 January 2004, under Section 146 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000, the courts have the power to disqualify a defendant from holding a driving licence where he or she has committed a relevant offence ( a relevant offence meaning any offence committed after 31st December 1997). Disqualification can be instead of, or as well as, dealing with the defendant in another way.

  Q10 How can I give feedback on this service?

You can contact us at community.safety@stroud.gov.uk

  Q11 Are there any statistics for Abandoned Vehicles?

Yes, please email us for more detals community.safety@stroud.gov.uk

  Q12 Are there any local case studies?

Yes, please email us for details community.safety@stroud.gov.uk

Encams Logo

Encams stands for Environmental Campaigns and is the environmental charity which runs the 'Keep Britain Tidy' campaign.

Together Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour Logo Home Office

The Home Office has an initiative called 'Together Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour 'which includes tackling the problem of abandoned vehicles.

Cleaner Safer Green Communities Logo Cleaner, safer greener communities

The 'Cleaner Safer Greener Communities: Removing Nuisance Vehicles' national strategy has now been launched. This sets out twelve actions Government will introduce over the next three years. These aim to reduce the number of abandoned vehicles by 25%.
Find our more details on the Cleaner Safer Greener Community Website


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