Luton drop off point vehicle removal

[GUK]

Hi all,

Briefly the situation is the following:

My friend goes to Luton airport, stops on the drop off point and goes to help with suitcases on the arriving guests. Once goes back after about 5-6 minutes, the procedure to remove his vehicle is already started. It turns out that there are new signs that forbid to leave your car unattended. So he had to pay a fine of 180 pounds to be able to release the car. So far everything is clear, there is sign not leave your car unattended but he left his car unattended and receive fine. But what bothers me is this, please see attachment. I have no experience with these things, but it seems to me very suspicious and unprofessional.There is no PCN number, (maybe they will provide it later, I do not know ), but also there is no offence code and signature. There is 150 removal fee and there no explanation for what the other 30 pounds is, once disposal fee is strike through. We would be grateful if anyone is able to help of possible reasons for the appeal. Thank you

[green_and_mean]

I maybe wrong but I thought unless you had been given a PCN or FPN towing was illegal? Who gave authority to tow?

[dx100uk]

its a private company

pers i'd get your money back

they have no legal remit to charge anything

its PRIVATE PROPERTY

 

dx

[green_and_mean]

I've had a dig around and they usually 'claim' to have lawful authority so exempt from the new laws but as yet I've not found anyone who has tested it in Court.

[lamma]

See the byelaws for the airport. It is my belief that they do not create the required authority. The police will not be interested despite the unlawfulness so civil action may be the best remedy to pursue even with the foibles of Small Claims Court.

[green_and_mean]

From your post it also seems the car was not actually towed but just lifted in which case you would also have a stronger claim as £180 to lift a car off the ground is disproportionate.

[dx100uk]

how did you pay?

 

dx

[GUK]

how did you pay?

 

dx

 

He had paid with a debit card.

[dx100uk]

http://whatconsumer.co.uk/visa-debit-chargeback/

 

he paid under duress

 

dx

[GUK]

Thank you all for your help, we will try to fight this and if we succeed, I will post the result.

[green_and_mean]

google 'towed luton airport' there are a couple of threads on the subject on other forums that go into detail

[ashmk]

Luton airport are notorious for ripping drivers off. They have been mentioned on BBC3 counties radio about these sort of techniques numerous times and will not go on air to explain themselves. They simply do not care. Going the chargeback route is your best option.

[ploddertom]

http://www.london-luton.co.uk/en/content/7/1164

 

Section 13 deals with enforcement & they call it a PEN.

[Raykay]

http://www.london-luton.co.uk/en/content/7/1164

 

Section 13 deals with enforcement & they call it a PEN.

 

But it does not give lawful authority to remove vehicles.

[dx100uk]

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=4252189&page=4

do a chargeback get your money back

 

dx

[green_and_mean]

You can also try reporting them to trading standards for carrying out illegal car removal.