Vehicle seizures

Overview

South Tyneside Council can seize a vehicle, trailer or mobile plant and their contents if it's believed it is being, has been or will be used to commit a waste crime such as fly-tipping.

Vehicles and their contents can be seized under the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989 or the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

A vehicle can be seized if it is:

used for fly-tipping
driven by somebody who is not registered as a waste carrier
used to transfer waste to somebody who is not registered as the waste carrier

When a vehicle is seized, the Council must put details of it on a public notice in their main office and on the website or in a local newspaper within 1 day of seizing the vehicle.

The police and the registered keeper will be notified in writing.

What happens when a vehicle has been seized

A seized vehicle can be held for 15 working days whilst it is being investigated.

Where a prosecution has started, the vehicle will be retained for the duration of the prosecution.

How to claim a seized vehicle

To claim a seized vehicle you must be the legal owner of the vehicle and be able to prove this by providing a:

V5C vehicle registration document in your name with your correct address and
Current certificate of motor insurance in your name with your correct address

If we need further proof of legal ownership we will notify you within one working day. Any further proof must be received within two working days from receipt of the request.

We will then notify you of a decision within three working days.

Collecting a seized vehicle

Where a vehicle has been claimed, the owner will have 10 working days to collect the vehicle unless we need to keep the vehicle for further investigation or are prosecuting the owner.

If a claimed vehicle is to be released and is not collected within 10 working days, it can be sold or destroyed.

If a vehicle is not claimed within 15 working days, it will be sold or destroyed.

Seized vehicle notices

Details of seized vehicles are available below: