“This problem has been escalating within the Borough with the result that verges, parking areas and lay-bys are being inundated with vehicles offered for sale,” said Stevyn Ricketts Head of Streetscene and the Enforcement Team at Gosport. “And it is not always local residents who are selling their car but unscrupulous dealers, who offer no point of contact should people have problems with the vehicle in the future.”

 

In an effort to combat this offence, Streetscene Enforcement Officers, who patrol the Borough 7 days a week, will be informing vendors of the offence they are committing and instructing them to remove the vehicle. If the vendor or owner of the vehicle cannot be identified, notices will be attached to the windscreen informing them the vehicle is being offered for sale illegally. Officers will also be using a variety of surveillance techniques to identify vendors before forwarding cases for prosecution to the Magistrates Court. The maximum fine for such an offence is £1000.

 

“This is becoming a real head-ache for residents as this form of selling prevents legitimate users of these areas from being able to park their car,” added Stevyn. “It also causes obstructions on the Highway and often results in shady car dealers making a quick profit.”