Abandoned vehicles are a problem nationally and the numbers have more than trebled in the Worthing area over the last eighteen months. Our Officers are currently receiving an average of 160 reports per month involving the removal of some 65 cars per month. An abandoned vehicle is a vehicle which appears unroadworthy or damaged and usually is not displaying a current tax disc.

A vehicle not displaying a current Road Fund Licence but which is in regular use is not an Abandoned Vehicle. Such vehicles should be reported to the DVLA Enforcement Office at Brighton.

Reporting An Abandoned Vehicle

• By telephoning Sussex Police 0845 6070999
• By Fax: 01903 218344
• By e-mail:  terry.sykes@worthing.gov.uk
• Online at Operation Crackdown, a joint initiative with Sussex Police

In all cases please provide the following information:

• Location
• Make of vehicle
• Registration number
• Colour
• How long on site

What Happens Next?

When a report is received the details are entered onto the Police 'Operation Crackdown' Database and directed via the Sussex Police Hub to the relevant Borough or District for action.

All vehicles reported are inspected within 24 hours of receiving the report. If they appear to be abandoned or unroadworthy, keeper details will be obtained, (normally available within 24 hours), any keeper is sent a warning letter that the vehicle may be removed for disposal if not removed by the owner within seven days. In cases where the vehicle is not registered to a keeper or is in a dangerous condition, the vehicle may be removed after a period of 24 hours.

Sussex Police: Operation Crackdown

Sussex Police have begun a pioneering project employing new technology to provide a solution to the ever growing number of abandoned vehicles within Sussex. Operation Crackdown is a multi-agency pilot study designed to significantly cut costs by reducing the amount of time that a vehicle remains abandoned.

Abandoned vehicles are a national problem with significant economic, social and environmental costs to the local community and the country as a whole.

In Sussex alone this year it is estimated that 32,000 vehicles will be abandoned costing the taxpayers £10 million, whilst throughout the United Kingdom 35,000 vehicles will be illegally dumped costing the Government hundreds of millions of pounds.

Members of the public can by visiting the Sussex Police Operation Crackdown website complete an on-line form with the details of any abandoned vehicle they are aware of , and even include a picture of the abandoned vehicle if they have taken one.

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