Vehicle Crime
Driving Criminals off the Road
The Home Office have announced that drivers who misuse their vehicles to commit crime and anti-social behaviour now face an unlimited driving ban as part of their sentence. As of January 1st 2004, the courts now have new powers to ban kerb crawlers, boy-racers and drivers who abandon their clapped out cars.
Kerb crawling and the anti-social use of cars blight local communities, causing misery and distress to people going about their daily lives. In order to deal with this growing problem, the new powers allow courts to ban drivers who use their cars to commit anti-social behaviour, sending out a strong message that nuisance behaviour will not be tolerated.
Nearly one in five people identify abandoned vehicles as a big or fairly big problem. In 2001/2002, 293,000 vehicles were reported as abandoned across England. More than one third of these abandoned vehicles were found are in London.
The Anti-Social Behaviour Unit is working with a number of areas throughout the country to tackle the problem of abandoned cars by setting up trailblazing areas. From October 2004, Operation Scrap-It will ensure that all vehicles in London and Liverpool confirmed as untaxed or abandoned will be removed in 24 hours.
Under the Police Reform Act 2002, police and community support officers also have the power to seize cars and motorbikes driven carelessly, inconsiderately, or 'off-road' in a manner that causes alarm, annoyance or distress. The owner of the vehicle will have to pay up to £357 to retrieve it. This type of deterrent will hopefully prevent the following types of vehicle crimes associated with antisocial behaviour.
Kerb-crawling
This problem affects communities all over the country. By banning the drivers causing this serious nuisance, we can deal with the distress caused to local communities. This new measure will help to stop kerb-crawlers harassing and intimidating women.
Abandoned vehicles
Abandoned vehicles dumped in parks and public spaces are an impediment on the environment, and provide an opportunity for further crime and anti-social behaviour. Banning drivers who abandon their cars sends a strong message that offenders face serious sanctions.
Boy-racers
Irresponsible and illegal drivers terrorising neighbourhoods by driving their vehicles off-road in parks and wasteland will also face a driving ban. Boy racers can damage communities by driving recklessly in parks and housing estates, regardless of time and respect of others.
Last update: 07/01/04