Recovery fees - burnt out bike

Oz. · Spanner Monkey Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Karma :

So here be the story of my bike form another forum:

"So last night I get woken up by the Police on the phone to tell me they have found my Aprilia RS125 on fire on the wasteground behind my apartment block.

So went down stairs and watched the cctv footage and 3 teenagers had somehow got inside the (un)secure car park underneath the block, jammed the shutter doors open, popped the steering lock and then watched them wheel it out across on to the wasteground and set it on fire all in the space of 4 mins...

Now the bike itself had been left in the car park with all the fairing panels , carb , airbox and top end removed and all in my apartment waiting for me to get the barrel replated. So basically it was in a visible state that said this isnt worth taking as only half the bike is there!

So yeah I just dont understand what the point was in rolling it out and just setting it on fire, hell they didnt even stick arount to watch the flames they just walked off? Now if they had taken it broken it and sold what was left then yeah ok, but to just set it on fire and go? Hopefully the cctv footage helps in catching them."

Now the bike itself was no further than 50 metres from my car park but before even notifying me it had been found the police had called a recovery company and had it removed. Copper said it was destroyed so had to be taken away?

So anyway I get a letter this morning from the recovery company wanting 150 charge for recovery of the vehicle plus £10 a day storage and that I need to come collect it... From what I saw of the CCTV the bike was burning for a good 10 mins before the fire brigade turned up so theres not going to be anything left but a burnt out frame so nothing worth going to collect.

Theres no insurance as 3rd party fire and theft for Salford + compulstory excess was more than the bikes worth plus I wasnt riding it anymore so where do i stand with not paying the fees? I didnt agree for them to take it, i wasnt aware they were taking it and to be honest I dont want the bike back?

Black Knight · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Karma :

It's tough shit, you need to pay the fees.

You may be able to claim on your home insurance.
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Oz. · Spanner Monkey Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Karma :

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

It is a poor system as it leads to large fees in events like this.

However you can't get out of the fee. At best they can sell the remains and pay part of the fee with the proceeds from that.

This might help (at the bottom)

https://www.suffolk.police.uk/Useful+Information/Contact+Us/Frequently+Asked+Questions/Stolen+Vehicles.htm

All the best

Keith
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LordShaftesbu... · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Sep 2008 Karma :

Don't pay if you're not going to collect the wreck.

pepperami · Super Spammer Joined: 17 Jan 2010 Karma :

looks like life has dealt you a shitty card Sad

.
Although the plod may have made matters worse by having it taken away, I think you need to blame the scum who nicked it in the first place.
Somehow I think you are going need to/end up paying the fees Sad

.

sorry to hear about your bike!
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Oz. · Spanner Monkey Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Karma :

cheer for that link keith, just did some reading:

What powers do the police have to remove stolen vehicles?

Section 99 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 permits the police to remove vehicles, which are Illegally, dangerously or obstructively parked or abandoned or broken down, whether or not they have been stolen.

Will I have to pay if the police recover my stolen vehicle and if so, how much?

There are statutory fees you are legally required to pay. The Government sets these in the form of statutory regulations, which they make under section 102(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

just read those quoted sections:

plugger147 · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Karma :

When my zzr was taken and torched beyond any use I just rang the company that took it away and told them I wasn't going to be collecting it and they sent a form out to sign it over to them and there would be no fee's and that was the last I heard about it.
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