Nuisance vehicles seized and crushed in zero-tolerance operation
Published: 09 October 2025
Community concerns over a spate of nuisance vehicles in Gants Hill has led to several vehicles being seized and crushed in a targeted operation led by Redbridge Council.
The Council’s Street Scene Enforcement Team were first alerted to the issues around Wycombe Road and Ethelbert’s Gardens when local people flagged vehicles were blocking access to their garages and back gardens. Concerns were also raised of vehicles being unlawfully sold on the street.
By probing into the matter, the team identified several vehicles causing obstructions and fitted with false registration plates, with no registered keeper or evidence of MOT, insurance or road tax - arousing suspicions of being traded unlawfully on the street.
The team launched a thorough investigation involving several partner agencies including car trading websites, the DVLA and Metropolitan Police, leading to legal notices being issued on the vehicles requiring them to be removed within 15 days.
In a targeted follow-up operation, six of the vehicles issued with legal notices have since been seized and crushed.
The team are also conducting further investigations with actions pending.
Redbridge Council Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, Cllr Khayer Chowdhury, said: “We have zero tolerance for those engaging in antisocial behaviour in our borough and will use the full range of powers available to us when dealing with illegal vehicles, and individuals or businesses unlawfully trading vehicles on the street.
“Our Street Scene Enforcement Team’s meticulous and on-going investigation is testament to their commitment to deliver positive actions and results for our local communities and shows we will leave no stone unturned to take action where needed.”
Easily report street scene issues via our Love Clean Streets app. For more information and to download the app go to https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/report-it/love-clean-streets/
