FOREIGN-registered cars are leaving councils in Suffolk tens of thousands of pounds out of pocket.
FOREIGN-registered cars are leaving councils in Suffolk tens of thousands of pounds out of pocket.
Since October 2005 Ipswich Borough Council has lost out on up to £29,890 after writing off 427 Penalty Charge Notices (PCN's) because it was unable to trace the owner of a foreign-registered vehicle.
This is for offences including parking on double yellow lines and overstaying the time purchased in a pay and display car park.
Mandy Chapman, parking manager at Ipswich Borough Council, said it was problem.
“It is more than frustrating for the council but it is also a worry from a health and safety point of view,” she said. “We have no way of telling if these vehicles have an MOT certificate or if they are insured. It is not a good situation to be in.”
Ipswich MP Chris Mole said there was no reason why somebody coming into the UK should get away with not paying penalties.
“I think there needs to be more awareness among people coming into the UK of the requirements for them to have their vehicles properly registered and identifiable,” he said.
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