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#Post#: 128256--------------------------------------------------
PCN: Parking in Disabled Bay, Car Towed less than an hour later
DIR By: ps117
Date: August 19, 2026, 12:07 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Hi,
I am seeking some advise as I believe I have been scammed by the
council or they must be committing some type of fraud.
Summary of the incident:
There is a disabled bay on my road which had it's signage
removed and the council attempted to burn off the "Disabled"
writing on the pavement but it's still visible and a poor job
was done. The resident who owned it has not lived there in
years. I have an email from last year where I asked about the
space and the council said they have raised a request to review
this. A few months after that email we saw a crew outside with a
big van and a flamethrower trying to burn the "Disabled" marking
off the road. By this point the metal sign on the house which
said "Disabled Bay" was removed for almost a year.
My neighbours including myself have been parking on the bay for
months without any issues ever, we have seen parking wardens
walk past investigate but keep walking as there is no longer a
sign.
This morning I got a fine for stopping in a disabled bay, as I
went to appeal it I return and my car was being towed and taken
to the car pound. This happened in under an hour from when I
first got the ticket at 9:12am, by 10:10am they were towing my
car. They made me pay for the PCN £80 and also £280 to retrieve
the car.
I made an effort to explain to the police and to the council but
they are adamant that on the system it's still a "Disabled Bay".
I believe the council are committing fraud here as they removed
the signage and attempted to remove the sign, I have pictures of
how the bay looks. They seem to pick and choose when to enforce
this bay.
On top of this, I have evidence that they put a fake ticket on
the windscreen whilst they towed the car and took new pictures.
The original ticket at that point was already appealed (i have
email confirmation of this) and within my possession. When I
went outside to see my car being towed I saw they added a blank
"Penalty Charge Notice" which contained no ticket. I asked about
this but was dismissed.
Also, during this process they scratched my brand new alloys due
to how they attached the tow hooks onto the rims. There are now
deep scratches on all 4 where previously they were flawless,
I can attach pictures of the road markings + the missing sign
in-front of the house. I have all emails from where I asked
about the bay and requested it's removal last year.
What legal rights do I have to dispute this?
HTML https://i.postimg.cc/kR3nKp9V/IMG-6343.jpg
HTML https://postimg.cc/kR3nKp9V
HTML https://i.postimg.cc/QKGX1ysV/IMG-6344.jpg
HTML https://postimg.cc/QKGX1ysV
#Post#: 128260--------------------------------------------------
Re: PCN: Parking in Disabled Bay, Car Towed less than an hour
later
DIR By: Bulop
Date: August 19, 2026, 1:15 pm
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Alright, firstly what you'll need to do is show the actual PCN
which was given to you at the pound. If you could also provide
the emails you sent as proof, to see what can be done, along
with the GSV/location, and which council.
If there was no letter inside of the PCN which was put on your
car then it was not served, and is a procedural impropriety.
Keep the yellow PCN as you may need it for later. If there was
no letter/PCN served then do you even know the PCN number? If
you don't, call the council and ask.
#Post#: 128273--------------------------------------------------
Re: PCN: Parking in Disabled Bay, Car Towed less than an hour
later
DIR By: ps117
Date: August 19, 2026, 3:48 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
To clarify, there was a PCN served initially. I went outside to
get it from my windscreen which I immediately challenged online
by raising the same points. Whilst I was appealing the ticket
they came under an hour of it being issued, added another
"Penalty Charge Notice" on the windscreen but it was just the
empty packet, no actual ticket inside. They then took new
pictures of the car with the empty PCN on the window and started
towing it. By the time I came out it was too late. I have
evidence of this as the pictures they have are time-stamped and
show that the PCN sticker was on the window after I appealed it
online. Which makes no sense.
Besides that, the main issue is the fact that this was a
disabled bay which had it's signage removed, had the "Disabled"
writing removed and all enforcement stopped for months. There is
even someone parked in it currently as everyone living here has
noticed that enforcement stopped. We have seen traffic wardens
walk by and whilst cars are parked in the disabled bay without a
badge but they would only check for a resident permit and that's
it, no one has ever received a ticket parking here since the
signage and road marks were removed.
Suddenly today they decided they had to act in such a drastic
manner.
#Post#: 128276--------------------------------------------------
Re: PCN: Parking in Disabled Bay, Car Towed less than an hour
later
DIR By: Bulop
Date: August 19, 2026, 4:16 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: ps117 link ---
>
> To clarify, there was a PCN served initially. I went outside
to get it from my windscreen which I immediately challenged
online by raising the same points. Whilst I was appealing the
ticket they came under an hour of it being issued, added another
"Penalty Charge Notice" on the windscreen but it was just the
empty packet, no actual ticket inside. They then took new
pictures of the car with the empty PCN on the window and started
towing it. By the time I came out it was too late. I have
evidence of this as the pictures they have are time-stamped and
show that the PCN sticker was on the window after I appealed it
online. Which makes no sense.
>
> Besides that, the main issue is the fact that this was a
disabled bay which had it's signage removed, had the "Disabled"
writing removed and all enforcement stopped for months. There is
even someone parked in it currently as everyone living here has
noticed that enforcement stopped. We have seen traffic wardens
walk by and whilst cars are parked in the disabled bay without a
badge but they would only check for a resident permit and that's
it, no one has ever received a ticket parking here since the
signage and road marks were removed.
>
> Suddenly today they decided they had to act in such a drastic
manner.
>
--- End Quote ---
If there was no ticket in the PCN sticker for the towing
incident then there is a procedural impropriety. You said you do
have proof of it so sending it would be great to see what can be
done.
#Post#: 128278--------------------------------------------------
Re: PCN: Parking in Disabled Bay, Car Towed less than an hour
later
DIR By: Bulop
Date: August 19, 2026, 4:20 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Inform your neighbours to not park there from now, as they may
continue enforcement. What we require now is the doucuments you
were given at the car pound, once you had it released. Send any
evidence you currently have as well. Since you have already paid
all there is to pay for the tow PCN this can be taken to London
Tribunals for no extra cost, a no brainer. Issuing a 2nd PCN
within an hour of each other is unproportional too, or is the
one you recieved first the one you paid while retrieving the
car? Do you have the number of the 2nd PCN? If you don't phone
the council and ask. Once you do so drafting of representations
can occur.
We cannot help you if you do not provide the location of the
offence or publish the actual PCN as we need to see what exactly
the council has done. (you can redact personal details for your
privacy)
#Post#: 128279--------------------------------------------------
Re: PCN: Parking in Disabled Bay, Car Towed less than an hour
later
DIR By: stamfordman
Date: August 19, 2026, 5:02 pm
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Post the materials redacting only name and address.
Presumably you got your car from the pound
We need to see:
- the PCN given to you at the pound
- all other documents given to you at the pound
- Google Maps link of the location.
#Post#: 128295--------------------------------------------------
Re: PCN: Parking in Disabled Bay, Car Towed less than an hour
later
DIR By: tincombe
Date: August 20, 2026, 4:25 am
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+1 we need docs.
My guess is that what you think was an empty packet was the
Onboard CEO's confirmation that the vehicle met the council's
criteria for removal(which is why it was removed soon
thereafter), NOT another PCN.:
Pl elaborate on:
By the time I came out it was too late. I have evidence of this
as the pictures they have are time-stamped .....
Were the 4 wheels of the car on the removal vehicle when you
appeared and, presumably, identified yourself as the person in
charge of the vehicle?
The decision on whether to immobilise or to remove a vehicle
requires an exercise of judgement and must [footnote 21] only be
taken following specific authorisation by an appropriately
trained CEO. (known as the Onboard CEO)
The immobilisation and removal operatives should not take the
decision.
If a driver returns to the vehicle whilst immobilisation or
removal is taking place, then it is recommended that the
operation is halted, unless the clamp is secured or the vehicle
has all its wheels aboard the tow truck.
Although only a 'should' (as opposed to 'must') this must be
addressed in the council's removal and immobilisation policy.
#Post#: 128301--------------------------------------------------
Re: PCN: Parking in Disabled Bay, Car Towed less than an hour
later
DIR By: ps117
Date: August 20, 2026, 4:39 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Hi everyone, thanks for the responses.
I have attached pictures of the only documentation I received.
The original PCN issued just before my car was towed, which I
appealed a few minutes prior to my vehicle being towed. I also
received a document on how to obtain my car from the car pound
and another document explaining how I can appeal.
The PCN sticker you see on the picture of my car being towed is
the PCN which had nothing inside, by that point I already had
the original and appealed it. There was NO TICKET inside the
yellow PCN sticker at this point, so not sure why another one
was added to the windscreen.
When I went outside and identified myself as the driver/keeper
the car was already loaded on the flatbed and they were ready to
drive off.
This occurred at Kennedy Road, Barking, IG11 7XJ.
In total I only received the PCN I added in the pictures and
that was it. There was no other documentation and I was sent a
link via email to pay the Tow fee + PCN prior to getting my
vehicle back.
[img width=135
height=180]
HTML https://i.postimg.cc/G8JK4df6/IMG-6363.avif[/img]
HTML https://postimg.cc/G8JK4df6
[img width=135
height=180]
HTML https://i.postimg.cc/34C1kY67/IMG-6364.avif[/img]
HTML https://postimg.cc/34C1kY67
[img width=135
height=180]
HTML https://i.postimg.cc/cK3XNQBW/IMG-6365.avif[/img]
HTML https://postimg.cc/cK3XNQBW
HTML https://i.postimg.cc/F72SXwW3/Get-Image-(1).jpg
HTML https://postimg.cc/F72SXwW3
#Post#: 128304--------------------------------------------------
Re: PCN: Parking in Disabled Bay, Car Towed less than an hour
later
DIR By: Bulop
Date: August 20, 2026, 5:04 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: ps117 link ---
>
> Hi everyone, thanks for the responses.
>
> I have attached pictures of the only documentation I received.
> The original PCN issued just before my car was towed, which I
appealed a few minutes prior to my vehicle being towed. I also
received a document on how to obtain my car from the car pound
and another document explaining how I can appeal.
>
> The PCN sticker you see on the picture of my car being towed
is the PCN which had nothing inside, by that point I already had
the original and appealed it. There was NO TICKET inside the
yellow PCN sticker at this point, so not sure why another one
was added to the windscreen.
>
> When I went outside and identified myself as the driver/keeper
the car was already loaded on the flatbed and they were ready to
drive off.
>
> This occurred at Kennedy Road, Barking, IG11 7XJ.
>
> In total I only received the PCN I added in the pictures and
that was it. There was no other documentation and I was sent a
link via email to pay the Tow fee + PCN prior to getting my
vehicle back.
>
>
> [img width=135
height=180]
HTML https://i.postimg.cc/G8JK4df6/IMG-6363.avif[/img]
HTML https://postimg.cc/G8JK4df6
>
> [img width=135
height=180]
HTML https://i.postimg.cc/34C1kY67/IMG-6364.avif[/img]
HTML https://postimg.cc/34C1kY67
>
> [img width=135
height=180]
HTML https://i.postimg.cc/cK3XNQBW/IMG-6365.avif[/img]
HTML https://postimg.cc/cK3XNQBW
>
>
HTML https://i.postimg.cc/F72SXwW3/Get-Image-(1).jpg
HTML https://postimg.cc/F72SXwW3
>
--- End Quote ---
Can you also provide the emails you sent to the council asking
them about the bay? So you've already filed an appeal for the
PCN then as well?
#Post#: 128307--------------------------------------------------
Re: PCN: Parking in Disabled Bay, Car Towed less than an hour
later
DIR By: ps117
Date: August 20, 2026, 5:21 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: Bulop link ---
>
> [quote author=ps117 link=topic=11773.msg128301#msg128301
date=1787218761]
> Hi everyone, thanks for the responses.
>
> I have attached pictures of the only documentation I received.
> The original PCN issued just before my car was towed, which I
appealed a few minutes prior to my vehicle being towed. I also
received a document on how to obtain my car from the car pound
and another document explaining how I can appeal.
>
> The PCN sticker you see on the picture of my car being towed
is the PCN which had nothing inside, by that point I already had
the original and appealed it. There was NO TICKET inside the
yellow PCN sticker at this point, so not sure why another one
was added to the windscreen.
>
> When I went outside and identified myself as the driver/keeper
the car was already loaded on the flatbed and they were ready to
drive off.
>
> This occurred at Kennedy Road, Barking, IG11 7XJ.
>
> In total I only received the PCN I added in the pictures and
that was it. There was no other documentation and I was sent a
link via email to pay the Tow fee + PCN prior to getting my
vehicle back.
>
>
> [img width=135
height=180]
HTML https://i.postimg.cc/G8JK4df6/IMG-6363.avif[/img]
HTML https://postimg.cc/G8JK4df6
>
> [img width=135
height=180]
HTML https://i.postimg.cc/34C1kY67/IMG-6364.avif[/img]
HTML https://postimg.cc/34C1kY67
>
> [img width=135
height=180]
HTML https://i.postimg.cc/cK3XNQBW/IMG-6365.avif[/img]
HTML https://postimg.cc/cK3XNQBW
>
>
HTML https://i.postimg.cc/F72SXwW3/Get-Image-(1).jpg
HTML https://postimg.cc/F72SXwW3
>
--- End Quote ---
Can you also provide the emails you sent to the council asking
them about the bay? So you've already filed an appeal for the
PCN then as well?
[/quote]
I filed an appeal as soon as I got the ticket. So ticket was
given at 9:08am. I retrieved the ticket at around 9:40am, I also
phoned the council parking team who advised me to appeal it and
say that there was no disabled sign and markings were poor.
As soon as I finished writing the appeal and submitting I heard
my car alarm going off and saw they were loading it on the
truck. This happened at around 10:10am.
The issue is that in order to retrieve my car from the Car Pound
they forced me to also pay the ticket which I just appealed, so
it was £280 + £80 ticket, £360 in total.
Screenshot of emails below from last year.
HTML https://i.postimg.cc/3y7Vn8G7/Screenshot-2026-08-20-at-11-14-10.png
HTML https://postimg.cc/3y7Vn8G7
HTML https://i.postimg.cc/hfT26FcX/Screenshot-2026-08-20-at-11-13-53.png
HTML https://postimg.cc/hfT26FcX
Around Jan/Feb of 2026 a roadwork team came and tried to remove
the "Disabled" paint lines on the road, they done a poor job.
Ever since that day I noticed that people started stopping in
the bay and I have NEVER seen anyone get a ticket whilst parking
there, let alone being towed.
There is even someone parked in the spot right now!
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