My Conservative Administration has taken decisive action in its zero-tolerance crackdown, crushing and destroying 13 untaxed and dangerous vehicles following complaints from residents about a garage owner whose behaviour was blighting their street.
The unroadworthy vehicles had been dumped on Parchmore Road in Thornton Heath by the garage previously known as Balham Autos. After months of ignored warnings, the Council’s antisocial behaviour and enforcement teams stepped in to remove the cars that were blocking parking spaces, obstructing pavements, and creating serious hazards.
Officers discovered vehicles without engines parked on double yellow lines, cars without tax or doors, and others with sharp, exposed metal edges. Some vehicles were left blocking disabled bays, and there were reports of aggressive behaviour towards residents and Council staff when challenged.
The Council has issued a Community Protection Notice (CPN) and a Section 16 Notice, legally requiring the business to provide full details about the vehicles and site operations, with unlimited fines for non-compliance. Croydon Council is also coordinating with the Environment Agency regarding unlicensed scrap activity and the London Fire Brigade over fire safety concerns.
“Residents are right to be angry – and so am I. What has been happening on Parchmore Road is completely unacceptable. For too long, this garage has been allowed to dump dangerous, untaxed and unroadworthy vehicles on the street, blocking pavements and disabled bays, and making residents feel unsafe.
“I went down to Parchmore Road myself to meet residents, who have lived there for over 40 years and have had enough of seeing their street treated like a scrapyard.
“This type of illegal activity attracts more antisocial behaviour and fly-tipping – it tells others the rules do not matter. That is why I have taken a zero-tolerance approach. This is Broken Windows in action – tackling the signs of neglect before it grows into something worse.
“This is a focused, ongoing operation. The Council will not stand by while one garage blights an entire community.”
- Jason Perry, Conservative Mayor of Croydon
The Council will continue to monitor the site and surrounding area as part of the Cleaner Croydon campaign, working to reclaim streets, restore pride, and make every community a place residents are proud to call home.
