The parked car.

[Workingman]

About four weeks ago a car got parked outside my home. Nobody knows who owns it. It is not one of ours, so I checked it out.

It is taxed and has MOT till November, so I reported it to the police as we only have on-street parking and it is taking up a much needed parking space.

"It has not been involved in a crime and is not stolen... try the council".

Tried the council and was directed to their website where I found an email address. Told them what I had told the police and a bot replied with a cut and paste from the website - nothing can be done till the tax and MOT run out.... and then it could be six months.

The other day a few of us were trying the doors, which were locked, but there is a lanyard on the gear stick with a school identified, but the ID card is face down and there is a key attached.

I emailed the school, but as it is summer holidays I have had no reply.

Now here's the thing. When Ally and I tried the doors I was going to my car to get some things from the dashboard tray and as I came back for some reason I tried the boot. It was open - no alarm! There is plenty of stuff inside.

I have left a note informing the owner of its report to the police, council and school and politely requested that they be a bit more considerate in future.

We are near the airport so dumping a car gets free parking, but for a month! Some holiday.

[Kaz]

That's odd. I hope the owner is ok

[saundra]

Have you opened the boot? Sorry you did open the boot might be at innocent explanation or free parking


???

[Workingman]

That's odd. I hope the owner is ok

So do I, but with it not being registered as stolen or involved in a crime it is more likely to be a chancer getting free parking.

Saundra, the boot is unlocked, hence the note.

Parking is at a premium here with people parking half on-half off on pavements and verges.

[Suff]

It is pretty inconsiderate isn't it.

When I was flying out of Stansted I found that the Mountfitchet train station has cheap parking. About £5 a day or thereabouts. You can take the train into the airport and out again. Also a bus is available from the airport. There are always options to pay less but still be in a recognised parking area. You don't need to be a space hog.

[jenniren]

Just a thought, I wonder if the owner paid for meet and greet parking at the airport. These firms are supposed to take the cars to a safe parking area while the owner is on holiday, but the reality is a lot of these companies just park them anywhere.

[meriad]

Jenn may have a point. It'll be interesting to see if the car is moved before school starts again. And if the owner is a teacher, then a one month summer holiday is quite the norm, esp if younger and they've gone somewhere where they can teach for a few weeks to supplement holiday spending

[Workingman]

Jen / Ria, yes, we considered those things. The reality for those of us who are victims is to just sit it out. Hopefully the school identified on the lanyard will have (strong) words.

[JoM]

I’ve heard of people parking in residential streets near to Birmingham Airport while they go off on holiday.
There was a news story recently where a car was parked on someone’s lawn next to the drive, whoever parked it even had the nerve to open the gates to drive through.
It was believed to be a scam where someone advertised a parking space which happened to be someone’s garden.

[Ally]

I’ve heard of people parking in residential streets near to Birmingham Airport while they go off on holiday.
There was a news story recently where a car was parked on someone’s lawn next to the drive, whoever parked it even had the nerve to open the gates to drive through.
It was believed to be a scam where someone advertised a parking space which happened to be someone’s garden.

This happened to Jackie on a few occasions.

Not the scam but people going on holiday and parking outside her house.