Stop Press - Premier Parking Services - Devon - Access to DVLA data WITHDRAWN

[Nev Met]

I was recently contacted by a 75 year old pensioner who dropped his wife off at the rear of Superdrug in Tiverton, Devon, a few days later he was shocked to receive, through the post, a PCN for £150.

 

The allegation is he was there for 7 minutes, he tells me he dropped her off and left, possibly a minute to two minutes max. That's by the by at the moment.

 

To cut a longish story short, the signs used by Premier Parking Services at this location contain three matters of concern

 

1) The fact that they clamp and tow Blue Badge holders

 

2) They refer to 'parking offences'

 

3) They use the word 'FINE'

 

Following a complaint to the DVLA I have today been informed that the DVLA has blocked access to registered keeper data until these allegations are investigated by the BPA and further consideration.

[citizenB]

Excellent news

 

1) The fact that they clamp and tow Blue Badge holders

 

2) They refer to 'parking offences'

 

3) They use the word 'FINE'

 

Following a complaint to the DVLA I have today been informed that the DVLA has blocked access to registered keeper data until these allegations are investigated by the BPA and further consideration.

 

Presumably as soon as they have addressed the points above, the DVLA will be happy to do business with them again !

[DBC]

And backdate all their requests, as happened to OPC after they were found guilty in a court of law.

[Nev Met]

I don't think so.........the DVLA were 'ambushed' by OPC and although they admitted as much at first, their 'PR' department have since played it down.

 

The other difference was that OPC had EDI access (which means access without DVLA control mechanisms)

 

Premier Parking Services only (apparently) submit paper requests so they can't fly under the radar in the way OPC did.

 

That aside, I've since asked the DVLA to confirm that Premier Parking Services have been prohibited from issuing tickets, clamping and/or towing from locations where the signs are illegal (don't forget, clamping and towing don't need rk access)

[Nev Met]

I don't know if I'm allowed to post links but I'll give it a go............

 

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/legal--motoring-advice/2012-05/premier-parking-suspended-from-accessing-dvla-data/

[ScarletPimpernel]

I wonder what action the BPA has taken over its member's wrongdoing? No breath to be held, obviously....

[Nev Met]

The more people from Devon who email the BPA AOS and ask them the more likely something will be done ('Squeaky wheel' = 'oil')

[Nev Met]

If you get a chance and have a few minutes, this story will be covered today as follows:

 

Radio Devon this morning (Edit - just been told that Radio Devon WONT be covering the story now) and on BBC Devon Spotlight News at 1330 and 1830 (SKY 987)

 

(In the meantime and in response to my letter to PPS on behalf of the victim PPS have replied saying that they have cancelled the charge and are refusing to enter into any further correspondence.

 

They won't get off the hook that easily, that's like a shoplifter who's been caught - then offering to hand the goods back and hoping to walk away scott free - not a chance PPS, I've got my teeth into you now).

Edited June 1, 2012 by Nev Met
Update

[grockle]

Another case on BBC Radio/Devon this morning

 

G24 location Plymouth, chap with a heart problem.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-18286627

[Nev Met]

Another case on BBC Radio/Devon this morning

 

G24 location Plymouth, chap with a heart problem.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-18286627

 

Yes, that's the story that 'bounced' mine....I'm just about to email Toys R Us customer services and ask them how this sort of behaviour dovetails in with their corporate image.

[caledfwlch]

I thought private clamping had been made illegal a while back, so those signs are even more wrong.

[Nev Met]

I thought private clamping had been made illegal a while back, so those signs are even more wrong.

 

Not until October when the Protection of Freedoms Act kicks in

 

UPDATE - BBC Devon will now be covering the Premier Parking Services story on Wednesday 6th June (fingers crossed)

Edited June 3, 2012 by Nev Met

[Nev Met]

I hope that the link works

 

http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/Arthur-takes-private-parking-firm-wins/story-16283030-detail/story.html

[Conniff]

I wonder what action the BPA has taken over its member's wrongdoing? No breath to be held, obviously....

 

How can you take action over yourself? most of bpa is the parking companies, they certainly aren't independent.

[Nev Met]

The BPA have started trying to be more transparent regarding enforcement of the CoP here:-

 

http://www.britishparking.co.uk/AOS-Sanctions

 

As the names of the offender companies are not listed nor any verifiable detail on the contraventions recorded it fails utterly as a credible response to the sheer volume of complaints.

[DBC]

How can you take action over yourself? most of bpa is the parking companies, they certainly aren't independent.

 

Some of us over on another forum have been trying to get this fact drummed into the heads of the people who run the charity "Disabled Motoring UK" (formally Mobilise) who have swallowed the BPA propaganda hook line and sinker . This charity believes that the BPA is some sort of official agency and is completely independent of the private parking" industry". Because of this they think that private parking tickets are enforceable and should be paid. As a final note, DMUK called the people who post on these forums "parking terrorists" ( whatever that means)

[Conniff]

LOL -

people who post on these forums "parking terrorists" ( whatever that means)

 

It means you go around to their offices with your sleeves rolled up and cut tops of all the flowers in the window boxes.

[labrat]

ah ive been doing it wrong then - i put clamps on their daffs

[Nev Met]

Here's the BBC Spotlight report on his incident - a good bit of local reporting by Hamish Marshall at the BBC so a well deserved pat on the back for him

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WISZkWTJqBg

[Rob S]

I don't know if I'm allowed to post links but I'll give it a go............

 

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/legal--motoring-advice/2012-05/premier-parking-suspended-from-accessing-dvla-data/

 

I wonder why it is ok to post a link to the Honest John site but when it is suggested to CAG members that they might get more info and/or help at MSE or P e p i p o o "The Management" at CAG say that is touting?