Lost or stolen vehicles

If we find a vehicle that's been reported lost or stolen we move it to a police pound for safekeeping.

We treat all lost or stolen vehicles we find as abandoned vehicles and remove them to:

• protect the vehicle from damage or arson
• prevent the vehicle from being stolen again
• prevent the vehicle from being used in a crime or anti-social behaviour
• make sure it isn’t an obstruction or danger to other road users

If your vehicle is found, it will be recovered by a removal operator and taken to their premises for safekeeping. We may carry out a forensic examination.

You'll be told that your vehicle's been found and when you can collect it.

If your vehicle was stolen we strongly recommend that you take it to a garage for an inspection before you drive it yourself. It may have been damaged while it was being driven by the thief.

Statutory charges

You or your insurance company are liable for the statutory charges.

You can find full details about the statutory charges you'll have to pay in The Removal, Storage and Disposal of Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Regulations 2023.

For vehicles seized before 6 April 2023 you'll have to pay the charges listed in The Removal, Storage and Disposal of Vehicles (Prescribed Sums and Charges) Regulations 2008.

If you move the vehicle without involving us, you do so at your own risk and you could be liable for any damages the vehicle presents.

Insurance claims

If you've made an insurance claim for a stolen vehicle, you must speak to your insurer before arranging collection. The insurance company may have a claim to the vehicle and want to pay the charges and collect it themselves.

Keys

If a key to your vehicle is missing you should change the locks or recode new keys. You may have difficulty with an insurance claim if you don’t do this and your vehicle is stolen again.