Stolen Volvo 240. SE London. Found. But not good...

[lordbiscuit]

A friend likened this to football hooliganism. Where at one point the police were powerless. Even laying on special transport for the firms to smash up. Then one day someone decided to do something.
Hopefully the new scrap laws will start the ball rolling. Even if it's not teams themselves taking the cars the scrappers will find it harder to pass them on.

[trouble]

If the car was bought with a log book:-

1. Where is the log book now?
2. Where did he\she see the car advertised?

[william123]

Oct 22, 2013 22:10:29 GMT lordbiscuit said:

It's fine, official channels will be stuck to.
As far as the police...I was waiting to hear when they'd finished with the car in forensics so I could collect it.
Heard nothing.
Couldn't find a number for the pound on the ticket or on the met website. Had to get it from another forum.
Called the pound on Sunday, answer phone. Left a message. No reply.
Monday I call 101. They call the pound. The pound say I owe them £370 quid for recovery and tow. The operator says the only person who can cancel this is the attending officer. They message him to call me.
Tuesday I call them again in the morning, they send him another message. By 5 I'd still heard nothing. Call 101 again and they say I need to call crime management. Straight to answer phone.
Eventually after trying three different numbers I get through to someone at southwark. They rightly work out I'm supposed to speak to the ORIGINAL officer who filed the first report.
They message him and within an hour he calls me, didn't know anything had happened but said he'll sort it. A couple of hours later he calls back and told me the problem was....
The attending officer put the wrong code in for the tow, one digit off, so it was marked down as a recovery not a forensic lift hence the charges. This also meant the car hasn't even been tested yet.
It's happening now and they reckon within a week I can have it back.
As someone said in an earlier post on here or another forum you really have to be persistent with the police and try not to get curse word off. I'm trying...hard.
The guy on it now seems on it and has asked me to send him all I have so will be doing that in the morning. And via PM's and asking around (grew up in penge and went to school in croydon) I've got a fair bit.
That's it for now.
And I really don't want this to turn into a 'classics vs bangers? fight as a lot of help has come from both, most on the ovalchat are from pm's so maybe not as visable but as valid.
Thanks

Its worrying that plod cannot even fill a simple form in correctly, suppose its too much to ask that the rest of the cars in the yard are also being examined ? Respect for your perseverence. All the best when you get it back.

[octagonalpaul]

Wow, fantastic detective work! I'd like to think that with the internet community and the technology we have these days that finding stolen cars should be easier. I'm sickened to see what has happened, and that the police seem to be having real trouble getting anything sorted properly. It doesn't match up that the car was apparently bought with keys and logbook, and still had the original plate inside. Either someone's printing up fake logbooks and selling stolen cars, or the Volvo was simply lifted straight to this lock-up. But the weirdest thing for me? If it was just getting raced or used for spares, WHY would it be under a cover? Guilty conscience?

[grumpy]

Oct 22, 2013 19:51:42 GMT firstblood829 said:

I am the team captain of First Blood it is a family team that has been around for 3 generations. My name is Mark Taylor and my number is 07534956051.

Firstly this is not me having go, I just think that you need to hear the other side of this story!! I totally understand how the man feels about having his car stolen and I am really happy he has got it back.

First of all the bloke in question is a very good friend of mine, and I know for a fact he did not steal the car. He bought it in good faith with a set of keys and a logbook. So as far as he was concerned there was nothing wrong with the car. As for people saying it was too clean to race, I have raced many classic cars that would of easily been on the road for years to come. For example I bought a 3 litre s capri a few years ago and also a 2 door mk1 escort! And they were both immaculate and I raced the pair of them.
As for people saying the team should have life bans, this is totally out of order as this is not to do with the whole team just one member. As for the ranting on ovalchat, this has been removed as it has no relevance to the car in question. Putting photos of the whole team and my friends whole yard is not anything to do with what has happened!!

I have left my number and name as I am fed up with all the abuse surrounding my team, I will answer any questions that anyone has, I will answer them if they are relevant to the car that was found, as for anything else I don't want to know. We are a family team that enjoys banger racing and has never been involved in any kind of car theft. We spend our weekends enjoying racing and have done so for the past 40years!!

As I said at the start I am very happy that the gentleman has found his car and will help him out with anything he needs, if I can.

Thanks
Mark [/quote

The only bit i believe is racing for forty years . If the car was bought , it must have been in a ok condition , worth say £700 . I can't see someone giving away a good condition for banger money - or are all banger racers spending £500 + on cars .....?

[Rob]

either way firstbloods mate will be up for recieving stolen goods. and if hes got previous like obc seems to suggest, then a decent sentence should prevail. as stated, if its bought with a v5, where did it come from? and finally i hope his mate does the right thing and tells the cops where the car came from. btw no0 banger racing in oz. thank god.

[xbo11ox]

He bought it in good faith, thats why he took the plates off it and hid it up under a tarp behind locked gates. Honest guv!

[colnerov]

Hi, Firstly, I am not defending or condoning what this banger chappie has alleged to have done, but can I offer some observations?

I have been around the trade long enough to know that cars like this do turn up. Owned by people who have no interest in cars other than as a means of transport and when they are finished/fancy a change and think the car is worth nothing. Nice, thank you very much! Banger racers are in or around the trade for this reason. IF he paid, as has been suggested, maybe £500 and he knows it will break for that then that makes for a cheap car to race Another Volvo owner could already be the owner of a pair of headlights at least. [covered by tarp behind locked gates] Who on here doesn't keep their car under lock and key to stop lowlife nicking it? There is another thread on here about DVLA/VOSA going round clamping or lifting uninsured/untaxed cars the defence for this is to cover or remove the reg plates. [bought with log book and key] an old worn key may work an old worn lock. The log book would, I agree, warrant closer inspection. Wouldn't be difficult to print and worth it if it gives the appearance of legitimacy to a sale of a car.

I would also like to add my respects to the owner for his detective work. Something in all honesty he shouldn't have to do!! Taxes and police's job and all that. On top of this he has to chase them to get his car back and then finds they are not investigating. The car could have ended up languishing in the pound racking up charges and him losing it to the pound.

I sometimes think this countries penalties for car theft are ludicrous! In the states it is called grand theft auto (not the game) and the penalties can be harsh.

Please don't shoot the messenger!

Colin

[dazcapri]

Oct 23, 2013 13:27:49 GMT colnerov said:

Hi, Firstly, I am not defending or condoning what this banger chappie has alleged to have done, but can I offer some observations?

I have been around the trade long enough to know that cars like this do turn up. Owned by people who have no interest in cars other than as a means of transport and when they are finished/fancy a change and think the car is worth nothing. Nice, thank you very much! Banger racers are in or around the trade for this reason. IF he paid, as has been suggested, maybe £500 and he knows it will break for that then that makes for a cheap car to race Another Volvo owner could already be the owner of a pair of headlights at least. [covered by tarp behind locked gates] Who on here doesn't keep their car under lock and key to stop lowlife nicking it? There is another thread on here about DVLA/VOSA going round clamping or lifting uninsured/untaxed cars the defence for this is to cover or remove the reg plates. [bought with log book and key] an old worn key may work an old worn lock. The log book would, I agree, warrant closer inspection. Wouldn't be difficult to print and worth it if it gives the appearance of legitimacy to a sale of a car.

I would also like to add my respects to the owner for his detective work. Something in all honesty he shouldn't have to do!! Taxes and police's job and all that. On top of this he has to chase them to get his car back and then finds they are not investigating. The car could have ended up languishing in the pound racking up charges and him losing it to the pound.

I sometimes think this countries penalties for car theft are ludicrous! In the states it is called grand theft auto (not the game) and the penalties can be harsh.

Please don't shoot the messenger!

Colin

My mates Father in law was ex Police and the penalties for Car theft used to drive him crazy,he told of a guy who he caught with 30 grand's worth of stolen vehicles who basically got a slap on the wrist at court and was then nicked again half an hour later stealing a car to get back home with.He always said if the guy had nicked 30 grand in cash he would have been able to put him away for years.

[geraldgte]

" For example I bought a 3 litre s capri a few years ago and also a 2 door mk1 escort! And they were both immaculate and I raced the pair of them. "

Wow, fair play that is commitmnet to racing ! Buying two cars which together are worth a few thousand pounds for scrap value and not considering selling them on and choosing to race them instand is amazing ! Wish i could stumble across such deals !

[firstblood829]

hi lordbiscuit first of all I don't no who he bought the car off, and if I did I wouldn't tell you as I'm not a grass I might be able to get the bits back off the car but I don't no as when he strips a car he normally has another scrap car next to it and everything goes in it and reason for the number plates being off it it was being striped. do you think if he knew it was stolen the plates would of been there. Like I said I will try and get the bits back, as for the person saying why was it under tarp? the farmer does not like the cars being not sheeted once they have been striped. The question about how much people pay for cars, yes people do pay up to a grand for cars to race. I would pay a grand for a classic car if I knew I could sell the parts and have good days racing with it. Like I said lordbiscuit I'm glad you got your car back and I will try and get the bits back
thanks mark

[escortmad79]

Oct 22, 2013 23:37:24 GMT trouble said:

If the car was bought with a log book:-

1. Where is the log book now?
2. Where did he\she see the car advertised?

3. What name & address was on the logbook? Perhaps Mark can get hold of these details & PM Lordbiscuit

[Deleted]

Oct 23, 2013 16:28:35 GMT firstblood829 said:

hi lordbiscuit first of all I don't no who he bought the car off, and if I did I wouldn't tell you as I'm not a grass

Silence is equal to condoning. Condoning is equal to partaking. As a public relations exercise to support the legitimate actions and nature of your team and team-mates, this is failing.

I suspect your yard, now very public, will be the first place anyone with missing banger-esque vehicles will come snooping, and your farmer landlord won't be too chuffed about that either.

So, Mark who appears to have lost the ability to use shift or proper grammar & words between the first and second posts in this thread, you might want to say nothing, if you are unwilling to help trace the actual thief the car was 'bought in good faith' from. After all, your team-mate has been wronged and you must surely want to get justice for them purchasing a stolen car, unless there is something to hide in your story, perhaps a slight inaccuracy...

[firstblood829]

1. The logbook and keys have gone with the car and police

2. He was offered the car at a banger track don't know who or what track

3. got no idea what details were on the logbook, just know he filled it out to send it off as scrap

Like I have said my number is on this thread, so if there are any questions feel free to ring me!!!!

Answers to my spelling and grammar has got nothing to do with this post!! My partner was writing it for me last night!! If that is all you have got to say don't bother posting!!
It is not my yard either just one team members, I am sure that my friend wont have any problem with people wanting to go in his yard he aint got anything to hide!!

Thanks
Mark

[homeforsummer]

Well this sucks in a huge fashion. Glad the OP got his Volvo back, but gutted it was already in such a state - having had a car stolen a few years ago only to get it back heavily crashed I know how curse word the situation feels.

Hopefully the rest of it is resolved too - though as I type I see things are still ongoing...

[mattyprice4004]

Oct 22, 2013 19:51:42 GMT firstblood829 said:

I am the team captain of First Blood it is a family team that has been around for 3 generations. My name is Mark Taylor and my number is 07534956051.

Firstly this is not me having go, I just think that you need to hear the other side of this story!! I totally understand how the man feels about having his car stolen and I am really happy he has got it back.

First of all the bloke in question is a very good friend of mine, and I know for a fact he did not steal the car. He bought it in good faith with a set of keys and a logbook. So as far as he was concerned there was nothing wrong with the car. As for people saying it was too clean to race, I have raced many classic cars that would of easily been on the road for years to come. For example I bought a 3 litre s capri a few years ago and also a 2 door mk1 escort! And they were both immaculate and I raced the pair of them.
As for people saying the team should have life bans, this is totally out of order as this is not to do with the whole team just one member. As for the ranting on ovalchat, this has been removed as it has no relevance to the car in question. Putting photos of the whole team and my friends whole yard is not anything to do with what has happened!!

I have left my number and name as I am fed up with all the abuse surrounding my team, I will answer any questions that anyone has, I will answer them if they are relevant to the car that was found, as for anything else I don't want to know. We are a family team that enjoys banger racing and has never been involved in any kind of car theft. We spend our weekends enjoying racing and have done so for the past 40years!!

As I said at the start I am very happy that the gentleman has found his car and will help him out with anything he needs, if I can.

Thanks
Mark

Just forward this message including the number to the boys in blue - they'll dig around and if things look fishy, will take it further. 

[xbo11ox]

Oct 23, 2013 16:28:35 GMT firstblood829 said:

hi lordbiscuit first of all I don't no who he bought the car off, and if I did I wouldn't tell you as I'm not a grass

What a joke "I'll try and help you get some of your bits back if I can (i.e. If our lot have not already flogged them or weighed them in) but as for helping you trace the guy who nicked your car in broad daylight and sold it to us, forget it! That would make me a 'grass!!!'" Yeah cheers.

[rmad]

This is becoming another 'them vs us' thread which is far from productive.

The car is found, so the job of this thread is done.

Banger Racers: I'm not against your sport, but please try and avoid this embarrassingly common occurrence.