The owners of abandoned cars in Wiltshire are being identified, fined and prosecuted following a recent crack-down by Wiltshire Council.

With around 50 vehicles abandoned in Wiltshire each month, the Council has begun issuing fixed penalty notices and prosecuting for abandoned vehicles, to make it clear that car abandonment will be treated as a criminal offence.

One vehicle, abandoned in Royal Wootton Bassett in July 2023, has caused months of questions and outrage among residents.

After further investigation by the council, it was found that the vehicle had no valid road tax or MOT and the owner, Mr Aidan Green-Thompson of Cloatley Crescent, was contacted by enforcement officers to remove it.

After failing to do so, the Royal Wootton Bassett resident was issued with a fixed penalty notice of £200 and when he failed to pay, he was taken to court and ordered to pay fines totalling £1,416.

A person found guilty of abandoning a vehicle can be punished with a fine of up to £2,500 or up to three months’ imprisonment.

“Abandoning vehicles is not only a criminal offence but it can have a negative effect on the quality of the local environment, and they can attract vandalism, crime and rubbish and can produce a risk of explosion and injury,” said Councillor Caroline Thomas, Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste.

“Approximately 50 vehicles are reported as abandoned to us every month, all of which are investigated by our Environmental Enforcement Officers.

“The majority are subsequently removed by the owners and placed on private land, but for those that have been abandoned, it is good to see the costs recouped and fines issued to deter further offences.”

Other vehicle owners who abandoned cars in December in Westbury and Market Lavington were also served notices requesting the removal.

One vehicle had no tax or MOT and the other was missing registration plates, a bonnet, lights and more.

Each owner has since been issued a fixed penalty notice for £200 and Wiltshire Council has warned they will prosecute if they’re not paid.

“These penalties are three great examples that highlight the work we are doing to fulfil our duty to remove any vehicles abandoned on Wiltshire’s public highways or public land,” added Coun Thomas.

“Wiltshire’s natural beauty plays a key part in the county’s visitor economy, and taking responsibility and protecting the environment is a key part of our business plan."