Croydon Council has started removing vehicles on public roads which have had their registration details deliberately hidden or disguised by drivers.

This is the latest crackdown on antisocial behaviour announced by Executive Mayor, Jason Perry, in response to residents’ complaints about the practice.

Motorists conceal their vehicle for a number of reasons, such as avoiding buying parking permits, not having to pay for a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), or so they can be stored on the road whilst work is carried out or the vehicle is offered for sale –all of which are illegal.

The new enforcement action is part of the Council’s renewed approach to tackling antisocial behaviour, making sure persistent offenders are held to account, as part of Mayor Perry’s priority to restore pride in Croydon and to make the borough’s streets cleaner, safer and healthier.

Obscuring a vehicle’s registration is a growing national problem, with people sharing online how they think they can get away with it. Ways that are used to mask vehicle’s ownership include covering number plates and vehicle identification numbers, altering the plates or removing them.

Vehicles that are found in Croydon not displaying their registration will be issued with a 24-hour notice by the Council to display their identity, or they will be removed.

Once removed, the owner will be required to prove ownership and pay a release fee of £280, alongside a daily charge of £55. After 28 days, if the vehicle remains unclaimed, it will either be disposed of or sold.

“Over the past year we have removed many cars from the borough’s streets that have been abandoned, we are now also focusing on those cars that have their identities deliberately hidden.

“It is not fair that some residents struggle to find parking spaces because unidentifiable cars are in their place, nor is it fair that others are getting away with not paying for parking in controlled parking areas.

“Croydon will no longer be seen as a soft touch for people to commit antisocial acts. If you do not pay your way, you should expect your car to be taken away.”

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon

If a vehicle owner believes their car has been towed away, they can find it by contacting ‘TRACE’ online or call free on 0300 077 0100.