The van was one of a number regularly parking on grass verges on Aviemore Road, Hemlington, leading to action by Middlesbrough Council.
This week officers from the Council’s Environmental Enforcement Team moved in to seize the vehicle, with further monitoring set to be carried out in the area.
Owners of untaxed – and therefore uninsured – vehicles face possible prosecution and an unlimited fine alongside a potential driving ban, higher insurance costs and penalty points on their licence.
Seized vehicles incur a £100 release fee – rising to £200 if the owner does not come forward within 24 hours - as well as a daily storage charge of £21 per day.
Where the vehicle does not have a valid MOT, a surety fee of £160 is also payable, although this can be reclaimed if proof of vehicle tax is provided within 15 days. Vehicles that remain unclaimed can also be crushed or sold on.
Councillor Ian Blades, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive member for Neighbourhoods, said: “Nuisance vehicles like this can blight entire neighbourhoods for local residents.
“We won’t tolerate that, and we will remove them on behalf of the vast majority of law-abiding members of the public.”
To report illegal vehicles or any crime, call Cleveland Police on 101, or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111, or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org
