0:00:02 > 0:00:06Never before have so many on-the-spot fines been issued in Britain.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09- You're about to fine me, I don't have any money today. - Come here.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12We are going to be following the men and women who hand out
0:00:12 > 0:00:15over £30 million worth of tickets every month.
0:00:15 > 0:00:16Look!
0:00:16 > 0:00:18That gets my goat.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20My jaw is dropping.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22For behaviour that's downright dangerous...
0:00:24 > 0:00:26..simply selfish...
0:00:26 > 0:00:29- It's been defrosted a while, that, hasn't it?- Yeah.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31..or just, well, plain silly.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34Get off your phone! Doughnut!
0:00:34 > 0:00:37We'll be revealing the cost of their bad behaviour...
0:00:37 > 0:00:38How much is a fine on this one?
0:00:38 > 0:00:41- £100 for no seat belts. It's expensive.- I know, yeah.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43..and how this could affect you.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45I'm in the middle of a job. I'm working. I'm a builder.
0:00:45 > 0:00:46The police are on it...
0:00:46 > 0:00:48Out your mouth, now.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50..the parking wardens are on it...
0:00:50 > 0:00:52So once it's printed, that's it?
0:00:52 > 0:00:54There's no point in arguing the point.
0:00:54 > 0:00:55..and I'm on it.
0:00:55 > 0:00:56Put your seat belt on!
0:00:56 > 0:00:58Cheeky monkeys!
0:00:58 > 0:01:01I'm Dom Littlewood, and I'm On The Spot.
0:01:04 > 0:01:05Today...
0:01:05 > 0:01:07Attention.
0:01:07 > 0:01:08Uh-oh!
0:01:08 > 0:01:12..there's a computer-aided crackdown on car tax evaders.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14- It's like Bill Gates' bedroom here, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:01:14 > 0:01:15In Cardiff...
0:01:15 > 0:01:16It's all cannabis plants.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20..it could be HIGH noon for some freaky fly-tippers.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24We come across this regular - probably four or five times a week.
0:01:24 > 0:01:29And speeders beware, because things can get hairy up on Dartmoor.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31They've called us WOMBLES,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34which is Working On Moor Because Locals Exceed Speed.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41We all moan about the train service,
0:01:41 > 0:01:44the price of the tickets and the reliability of it.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47But let me tell you, they've got a very good reason
0:01:47 > 0:01:49to moan about us, the paying customer.
0:01:49 > 0:01:54Because we defraud them out of £200 million a year by not buying tickets.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58What would be your opinion of somebody who deliberately didn't pay for a fare on a train?
0:01:58 > 0:02:01Would you find that annoying, would it worry you, or are you not bothered?
0:02:01 > 0:02:03It's annoying because it pushes the prices up.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05The rules say you should have a ticket,
0:02:05 > 0:02:06and everyone should have a ticket.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08Why should someone else not have?
0:02:08 > 0:02:12- Sometimes I do that! - Naughty, naughty!
0:02:12 > 0:02:14Today, I'm heading to Birmingham.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17I'm joining up with the revenue protection team
0:02:17 > 0:02:19of the London Midland franchise
0:02:19 > 0:02:21to find out just how many of
0:02:21 > 0:02:24their more than 70 million passengers a year
0:02:24 > 0:02:26ARE paying their way.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29This is known in the business as a blockade.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33They've picked one busy station and they're going to block all the exits
0:02:33 > 0:02:35and check every single ticket.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39Exciting stuff, and it looks like we are going in mob-handed.
0:02:39 > 0:02:40It's like an army.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44We'll be positioning ourselves at Selly Oak Station in Birmingham.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46It's close to the university,
0:02:46 > 0:02:48so it's a line popular with students.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51So we might be seeing lots of young faces today,
0:02:51 > 0:02:54assuming they can get out of bed in time.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57In charge today is revenue protection manager Mike.
0:02:57 > 0:03:02I take it you're a student and this is your home address, yes?
0:03:02 > 0:03:07And he looks like he's got all bases covered before the first train arrives.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10From the next train coming in, anybody that's getting off a train,
0:03:10 > 0:03:12whether they try to go over there or out this way,
0:03:12 > 0:03:16- they will have their ticket inspected? - They'll need to have a ticket.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20- There's no way of escaping you guys, is there?- Other than over the fence, which isn't unusual either.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22It's a bit Tom Jones, is it? Not unusual.
0:03:22 > 0:03:23Yeah.
0:03:23 > 0:03:24Boom, boom!
0:03:24 > 0:03:27No time for jokes, we're off.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29Right, you've got about eight carriages here.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33I wonder how many people are going to be on this train who haven't bought a ticket.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36Tickets, passes and railcards, please.
0:03:36 > 0:03:37Thank you, sir.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40- Tickets, keep coming. - Thank you very much.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42I tell you what, pretty fair,
0:03:42 > 0:03:44there's not one person who's got off the train
0:03:44 > 0:03:46who's not having everything inspected.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48- Everything's being checked. - Thank you.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52Two lots of fines have been issued at the same time.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54We're going to issue the penalty fare.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56You get 21 days to pay or appeal,
0:03:56 > 0:03:58or you can pay now if you really want to.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01I'm going to ask you to just fill out some details in my notebook.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05That's the first penalty fare of the day, £20,
0:04:05 > 0:04:07and it looks like it's not going to be the last.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10I think the fine pad is about to come out again.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13This lady has a ticket,
0:04:13 > 0:04:15but not the Railcard that's supposed to go with it.
0:04:15 > 0:04:16So how does that affect things?
0:04:16 > 0:04:19Basically it's a condition of the Railcard
0:04:19 > 0:04:22that you carry it with you at the time of travelling.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24So obviously you get a cheaper fare with a Railcard.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28It's a £20 penalty.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31Fortunately, she can appeal it if she can provide
0:04:31 > 0:04:33proof that she has the right Railcard.
0:04:35 > 0:04:36No such things as a slow start here,
0:04:36 > 0:04:39one train down and two penalties issued.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43Make sure you've got your Railcards out, ready for inspection.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46And on the next train, the team don't have to dig too deep
0:04:46 > 0:04:48to spot a problem with THIS passenger.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50- How old are you, sir?- 15.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52You're 15. Do you just want to come over here?
0:04:52 > 0:04:5415?! Pull the other one!
0:04:54 > 0:04:56Have you got anything that shows me you're 15?
0:04:56 > 0:04:58Because you definitely look over 15.
0:04:58 > 0:04:59What's your date of birth?
0:05:00 > 0:05:03Right, OK, you're over 15, aren't you, sir?
0:05:03 > 0:05:05Mate, can I just go through now? I'm in such a rush.
0:05:05 > 0:05:06I dare say you are, sir.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09If he's 15, then I've got a full head of hair.
0:05:09 > 0:05:15And now, having been caught out, this young chap is threatening to throw his toys out of the pram.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18What seems to be the issue with the gentleman?
0:05:18 > 0:05:19The gentleman claims to be 15 or under.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21I didn't have money to buy a full one.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24And now you're about to fine me, I don't have any money for that.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27- Right, OK.- I haven't any money on me. That's why I had to buy...
0:05:27 > 0:05:29You want to check that chap.
0:05:29 > 0:05:34So it looks like our pretend teenage tearaway has now changed his tune.
0:05:34 > 0:05:35He's no longer claiming he's 15, but just that
0:05:35 > 0:05:39he didn't have enough pocket money to cover the adult fare.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43You've committed a fraudulent offence by paying for a child ticket.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45No disrespect, you're clearly not a child.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Despite being caught bang to rights,
0:05:48 > 0:05:50he's refusing to take his punishment lying down.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53In fact, he's trying to take off.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56Yeah, that didn't work. Time to grow up fast, mate.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00The gentleman that I was talking to is clearly over 15,
0:06:00 > 0:06:04he has a child ticket, travelling on a child ticket,
0:06:04 > 0:06:05which is an offence.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09And it might be about to get worse for our not-so-young friend.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12As this is a deliberate attempt at fare dodging,
0:06:12 > 0:06:14rather than just a genuine mistake,
0:06:14 > 0:06:16Neil now has the power to take things further.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19He could choose to interview this passenger under caution,
0:06:19 > 0:06:21leading to a court prosecution.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23So, what's it going to be?
0:06:23 > 0:06:26A penalty fare or a call-up to the big boys' court?
0:06:26 > 0:06:28I'm going to deal with you by way of a penalty fare.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31Technically I could deal with you by way of prosecution,
0:06:31 > 0:06:33but I'll deal with you by way of penalty fare.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36Write down for me, please, name, address,
0:06:36 > 0:06:38date of birth, and then sign it and date it, OK?
0:06:38 > 0:06:42So, it's just a £20 penalty fare, and some forms to fill in.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45Let's hope he can remember his date of birth this time.
0:06:45 > 0:06:46Fantastic. Thank you very much.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Right, thank you very much, sir. If you'd like to sign there, please.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53I think this chap can count himself very lucky as it could have been a
0:06:53 > 0:06:55lot, lot worse. I wonder if he's learnt his lesson.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Thought I was doing all right by paying a child fare.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00I should've just jumped it completely.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02I could have saved myself £1.50.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06Maybe not. And as the next train rumbles in...
0:07:06 > 0:07:09All tickets and passes today, please.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11..the penalties keep on coming.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14At this present moment, I can count one, two,
0:07:14 > 0:07:17three, four, five, six,
0:07:17 > 0:07:19seven...
0:07:19 > 0:07:22Seven tickets being issued at the same time.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25My jaw is dropping. I can't believe what I'm seeing.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27The fines are all adding up, and with just
0:07:27 > 0:07:29this one small exercise,
0:07:29 > 0:07:31you can see why London Midland estimate
0:07:31 > 0:07:33they lose more than £8 million each year
0:07:33 > 0:07:35due to fare dodging.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37I'll deal with that by way of penalty fare. Penalty fare's £20.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39And you can't blame them for
0:07:39 > 0:07:40trying to claw some of it back.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42Do you not have a ticket at all with you, madam?
0:07:42 > 0:07:44Unfortunately that means
0:07:44 > 0:07:45you'll be eligible for a penalty fare.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49I'm doing my best to try to catch my breath.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53But for the guys, today seems to be a case of business as usual.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- Mike.- Yes?- It's busy, isn't it?
0:07:56 > 0:07:58It is. It's about what we expected.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00It's no busier than we thought it was going to be.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03So, tell me about other days when you've done this.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06How many people are you likely to sort of issue notices to?
0:08:06 > 0:08:11One of the... I suppose you could say the worst ones that we ever did
0:08:11 > 0:08:14here, we did 85 penalty fares in an hour and a half.
0:08:14 > 0:08:1685 in an hour and a half!
0:08:16 > 0:08:19Well, they're not there yet, but you never know.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22- You need to keep your pen out because another train's pulling in here.- Yeah!
0:08:22 > 0:08:24There's no point putting the pen away, is there?
0:08:24 > 0:08:25No, you may as well keep it out.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29Another train and another busy session.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31I'm worried the team's in danger of running out of ink.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33But in amongst those dodging fares,
0:08:33 > 0:08:36Mike finds a passenger who does have a ticket.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39The only problem is, it's for a different station.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42OK, by using this ticket, you are committing an offence of over travel.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46OK. It's the same price to get...
0:08:46 > 0:08:48But, yeah, it's not what the ticket says.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51It's only valid to university, so you've over-travelled.
0:08:51 > 0:08:52- One stop.- It is one stop.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54But you've over-travelled.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58It seems this passenger has bought a ticket for an earlier stop,
0:08:58 > 0:09:00but got off here further down the line.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02She can't see what the problem is,
0:09:02 > 0:09:05as she says the price of a ticket for either stop is the same.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09Tricky one, this. What is Mike going to do?
0:09:09 > 0:09:12I'm going to issue you a penalty fare notice
0:09:12 > 0:09:14for over-travelling on your ticket.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16Ouch, that's a £20 fine.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19That's going to hurt, especially on a student budget.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22From what I understand, you've gone one stop too far on your ticket.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25- Why is everyone doing that?- Because it's the same price for me
0:09:25 > 0:09:29to get from... to get a return from university to Birmingham
0:09:29 > 0:09:32as it is for me to get a return from Selly Oak to Birmingham.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36So you wouldn't expect there would be a £20 penalty fare on a student.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40You've been issued with a penalty fare. You do have the right to appeal, as I said.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43I understand the process, but you can appreciate how ridiculous that is.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45How ridiculous is it that you're travelling on to a station
0:09:45 > 0:09:48- that your ticket doesn't... - It's the same price.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50But your ticket doesn't let you travel to that station.
0:09:50 > 0:09:51It's the same price, though.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54It's not that you haven't bought a ticket, you bought a ticket...
0:09:55 > 0:09:57So, appeal it, see how you get on.
0:09:57 > 0:10:02Yeah, I don't really think that it's going to do anything.
0:10:02 > 0:10:03You don't know unless you try, do you?
0:10:03 > 0:10:06Well, they both make good points,
0:10:06 > 0:10:09but unfortunately, only one of them is going away with a fine.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11Are you feeling cheesed off about it?
0:10:11 > 0:10:14Yes, because there's people that don't buy tickets, ever,
0:10:14 > 0:10:16and then there are people who buy tickets every time.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20- And...- You feel a bit hard done by, don't you?
0:10:20 > 0:10:22It's 20 quid, though.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24And as a student, that's a lot of money.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Well, it's hard not to feel sorry for that passenger,
0:10:27 > 0:10:28but she's just one of many.
0:10:35 > 0:10:40And this next case looks pretty black and white to me.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42I'm going to say the obvious - why haven't you got a ticket, Chris?
0:10:42 > 0:10:45Well, I just never meant to buy one, really.
0:10:45 > 0:10:51- Cos you know that it's more serious if you just forget to buy a ticket. Did they explain that to you?- Yeah.
0:10:51 > 0:10:52I mean, I've had these before,
0:10:52 > 0:10:55actually paying off quite a large fine from before.
0:10:55 > 0:10:56And stuff like that.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59What, getting a fine from not having a ticket?
0:10:59 > 0:11:03Yes. What happened was that I was issued with the fine,
0:11:03 > 0:11:05forgot about the fine, gone to court,
0:11:05 > 0:11:06and then it ended up a £600 fine.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10But you've got on here again today without enough money to even buy a ticket.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13Why have you done it, though? That's the obvious thing to ask, isn't it?
0:11:13 > 0:11:16This line, it's not really monitored very well.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19So you kind of know that you can get away without a ticket.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22The prices of tickets every day, travel every day, it just builds up.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24What will you do tomorrow? Will you buy a ticket or not bother?
0:11:24 > 0:11:27Well, it all depends on the money.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29If I've got somewhere to be and I've got no money,
0:11:29 > 0:11:32and that train is going to get me there, I need to be there, then...
0:11:32 > 0:11:34- You'll get on it.- You know, if I've got the money at the time
0:11:34 > 0:11:37and I know I'm going somewhere where I need to be, then I will pay.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39Chris, been lovely talking to you.
0:11:39 > 0:11:45All right, get that paid, don't let it get up to 600 quid next time, will you? All right. Cheers, mate.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48Got to say, I'm completely gobsmacked at Chris's honesty.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51For him, even though it's the second time he's been nicked,
0:11:51 > 0:11:52first time the fare went up to 600...
0:11:52 > 0:11:54Well, the fine went up to £600.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56He actually said, I'm quids in.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59And he said next time I get on a train, I haven't got any money,
0:11:59 > 0:12:00I won't care less, I'll just get on anyhow.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02He was so blase, smiling and chirpy.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06I'm...I'm shocked, really was.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09After that frantic couple of hours, it's time to wrap things up and have
0:12:09 > 0:12:11a quick debrief with Mike back at his Birmingham HQ.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15When London Midlands invited us along to watch them do one of
0:12:15 > 0:12:19your blocks at the station, which is something you do quite regularly,
0:12:19 > 0:12:20I was absolutely gobsmacked.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22We were there two hours. How many tickets did you issue?
0:12:22 > 0:12:24We issued 94 penalty fares, and we
0:12:24 > 0:12:26- issued one interview under caution.- OK.
0:12:26 > 0:12:2895 people were caught without a ticket.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30I do feel sorry for people who've got a fine,
0:12:30 > 0:12:31because a lot of them can't afford it.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33But there is a message out there, isn't there?
0:12:33 > 0:12:34You're going to get caught.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37- These guys are doing this on a regular basis.- Yes, yes.
0:12:37 > 0:12:38Buy a ticket. It's as simple as that, is it?
0:12:38 > 0:12:41- Absolutely, simple as that.- And you can buy me a coffee, come on.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44- I'm freezing cold, I'm cream-crackered.- No problem.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54No-one wants to find their vehicle clamped or removed,
0:12:54 > 0:12:57but in the last two years, since they got rid of paper tax discs,
0:12:57 > 0:13:00the amount of cars clamped has almost doubled.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02Because the simple fact is, if you don't tax your car,
0:13:02 > 0:13:04you're either going to get a hefty fine,
0:13:04 > 0:13:06or you're going to lose it completely.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09How do you feel about cars on the road that are untaxed?
0:13:09 > 0:13:12If I've got to pay for it, I think everyone else should pay for it.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14Yes, I think it's a good point, isn't it?
0:13:14 > 0:13:16Do you think it's unfair that they are clamped?
0:13:16 > 0:13:18I think you have enough warnings.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20If you are clamped, that's fair enough.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23Many years ago my friend was knocked over by somebody
0:13:23 > 0:13:24in a car who wasn't taxed.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27So, I have a personal interest in that as well.
0:13:27 > 0:13:32- Well, if you haven't got tax, you should be clamped, I believe.- Yes.
0:13:32 > 0:13:37You know, that's what we all... Everyone else has to pay their tax.
0:13:37 > 0:13:38Fair enough.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40And I'm here in south Wales with
0:13:40 > 0:13:42the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's clamping unit
0:13:42 > 0:13:45who are on the lookout for untaxed vehicles.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49Just got to watch the chain sometimes because they get a bit oily.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52Thanks for telling me after I've given you a hand!
0:13:52 > 0:13:54And as a seasoned clamper,
0:13:54 > 0:13:57Andrew Smith will be tracking those vehicles down
0:13:57 > 0:14:00and dishing out the fines.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02That's all your clamps rattling in the back there, isn't it?
0:14:02 > 0:14:05- That is.- You must be really happy when you've clamped
0:14:05 > 0:14:08loads of vehicles and you can drive home without that rattle.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12- Going back empty, yes.- It would drive me bonkers, that would.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15But to do that, he'll need to find the offenders.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19Luckily, he's got a nifty bit of technology to help him.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22What it's doing is, it's reading the number plates.
0:14:22 > 0:14:28So everything that goes past us is being read by all four cameras.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30That's an awful lot of cameras on a little van, isn't it?
0:14:30 > 0:14:32It's covering all the bases, basically.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35Because if you don't catch it on the front cameras,
0:14:35 > 0:14:38you're going to catch it on the back cameras as you go past the car.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40We've got a fairly good chance of catching them.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43Really? There's a lot of vehicles out there untaxed?
0:14:43 > 0:14:46Yes, even that 1% in the country, it's still a lot of cars.
0:14:48 > 0:14:49And he's not kidding.
0:14:49 > 0:14:55There are over 550,000 untaxed cars currently driving on the UK's roads.
0:14:55 > 0:15:00That's £80 million that could be ploughed back into the road network.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04And Andrew's heard all the excuses.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06Is there a common denominator with some
0:15:06 > 0:15:08that you hear time and time again?
0:15:08 > 0:15:10It's the usual ones.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12I didn't get my reminder.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14- 'Attention.'- Ooh.
0:15:14 > 0:15:19'Sure enough, Andrew's box of tricks soon springs into life.
0:15:19 > 0:15:20'Made me jump, anyway.'
0:15:21 > 0:15:25'And that means there's an untaxed vehicle in the vicinity.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28'Even driving at speeds, this kit can spot a tax-dodger.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31'Certainly beats plodding the streets
0:15:31 > 0:15:34looking at the old paper discs, doesn't it?
0:15:34 > 0:15:38What we do is we check on my little hand-held computer.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41It's like Bill Gates' bedroom in here, isn't it?
0:15:41 > 0:15:43- Yeah!- All I can see is electronics.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45And then we wait and see what message we get back.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49So that comes back and says, yes, this is an untaxed vehicle.
0:15:49 > 0:15:50You go back, boom, clamp.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52- Basically...- We've only been on the road five minutes.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56That's telling me that one is unlicensed and the SORN is in force.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59'Having a statutory off-road notification, or SORN,
0:15:59 > 0:16:04'means a vehicle should NOT be on a public highway.'
0:16:04 > 0:16:07Right, that's the first clamp of eight in the vehicle.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13Have you ever needed more than eight?
0:16:13 > 0:16:14I think that's a yes.
0:16:17 > 0:16:22I've got to say, it doesn't actually look in bad condition.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25It's not the old banger I was expecting.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27'But it's still illegal.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29'This Beamer is untaxed,
0:16:29 > 0:16:32'with the owner claiming it's currently off the road.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35'I think you can guess what's going to happen next.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40- So, simple as that?- Simple as that, clamped.- Clamp on.
0:16:40 > 0:16:41Yep, car is immobilised.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47And all we do is we put a warning sticker on to say he's got a clamp on the vehicle.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51- Because the last thing we want him to do is pull away with that clamp on.- Yes.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53- He wouldn't get very far, would he? - Nah.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55'But they will be getting a £100 fine,
0:16:55 > 0:17:00'which rises to £200 if they don't get it sorted within 24 hours.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02'Ouch!'
0:17:02 > 0:17:04Now, I mean, that could have been a quarter of that size,
0:17:04 > 0:17:08but I'm assuming what you want to do is not just let him know there's a clamp on it,
0:17:08 > 0:17:10but also you're trying to put a message out there to people.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13- Yes.- It's been caught with no tax.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16You know, you get your bum smacked and it's a message to other people,
0:17:16 > 0:17:18- don't do it.- Yeah.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22'And talking of getting important messages out...'
0:17:22 > 0:17:23Put your seat belt on!
0:17:23 > 0:17:24LAUGHTER
0:17:24 > 0:17:27Hey, look!
0:17:27 > 0:17:29- Ey-up!- He's putting it on now.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31He's putting it on now. Put it on. And you! Put it on.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33He's got it on behind him.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36Gordon Bennett! You'll get a penalty for that.
0:17:37 > 0:17:38Cheeky monkeys.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41'At least that van was taxed.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44'So, just a few minutes into the patrol
0:17:44 > 0:17:46'and that's one clamp down already for Andrew.'
0:17:46 > 0:17:49What's the most you've issued in a day?
0:17:49 > 0:17:54The most I've done in a day has been 28.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57- You're joking?- No.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00'No, he's not joking, is he?'
0:18:00 > 0:18:0128 enforcements.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04- 'Attention.' - Oh, what was that?
0:18:04 > 0:18:07That was a warning notice,
0:18:07 > 0:18:10so what we are going to do is we're going to pull in just there.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13- You're going to run out of clamps at this rate.- We could do.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15'Not a car this time...
0:18:15 > 0:18:16'Attention.'
0:18:16 > 0:18:18Not another one.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21'..but a tipper truck.'
0:18:21 > 0:18:23I'm getting the impression, looking at the vehicle,
0:18:23 > 0:18:25that if the owner sees you putting a clamp on,
0:18:25 > 0:18:27he's not going to be too happy.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29Possibly. Possibly.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34Not only is this vehicle parked in a...
0:18:34 > 0:18:37I think it's a loading-only bay...
0:18:37 > 0:18:39Oh, someone's sitting in it.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42'Oh, dear. I'm not sure the driver is going to be too pleased to see Andrew.
0:18:42 > 0:18:47'But his truck is untaxed and parked up on a public road.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51'I don't know about you, but I can definitely feel a fine coming on.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54What I'm supposed to do is, I'm supposed to immobilise your vehicle.
0:18:54 > 0:19:00- OK.- Which requires me to put a clamp on your vehicle.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02- Which I'm going to be doing now. - OK.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04So that's to stop you from moving this vehicle about,
0:19:04 > 0:19:07because obviously at the moment it's come back as being untaxed.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11'But will he get off without a fine?'
0:19:11 > 0:19:15How do you feel about the fact he's clamping it while you're sitting in it?
0:19:15 > 0:19:17- Be honest.- I'm shocked because I'm in the middle of a job.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20I'm working, I'm a builder. I've got four vehicles.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22That's what I'm saying, I've got four vehicles,
0:19:22 > 0:19:24it comes out of my account, direct debit.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28Let's hope it's a genuine mistake because you might be able to sort it out on the phone now, mightn't you?
0:19:28 > 0:19:32I don't understand what's happening. I'm on the phone to the DVLA now.
0:19:32 > 0:19:33- Right, OK.- So...
0:19:36 > 0:19:38This guy is here, he's quite shocked he hasn't got tax,
0:19:38 > 0:19:40say he pays it by direct debit.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42He's trying to sort it out now on the phone with the DVLA.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45I'm hoping, I really am hoping it's a genuine mistake
0:19:45 > 0:19:48and they can take the clamp off and say, you know, don't worry,
0:19:48 > 0:19:51DVLA got it wrong on their system, you're all free to go.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55I've got a funny feeling that's not going to be the case.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59'The driver claims it's the DVLA that have made a mistake with the payment.
0:19:59 > 0:20:04'The fact is, he needs to get his truck taxed straightaway.'
0:20:06 > 0:20:09They were taking it out, they refunded it, they're saying
0:20:09 > 0:20:13obviously that there was no registered keeper on this vehicle, so...
0:20:13 > 0:20:15That's something maybe at their end.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18- If I go tax it right now... - If you tax it right now...
0:20:18 > 0:20:19Yes, give me a second, then.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22There's still going to be a fine on it, though.
0:20:22 > 0:20:23Which is going to be what?
0:20:23 > 0:20:26- If you tax the vehicle first, it'll be £100.- OK.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30'Oh, well, didn't get away with it this time, mate.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32'That's a £100 on-the-spot fine.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35Can you wait here and I'll just do it now, quickly?
0:20:35 > 0:20:37- I've got my paperwork to do. - Yeah, and I'll pay it right now.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39You'll need that one anyway.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41Right, V62. Give me two minutes, then.
0:20:41 > 0:20:42Can I just check, Andrew? If he does all this,
0:20:42 > 0:20:44are you able to take that clamp off for him?
0:20:44 > 0:20:49- Once all the fines are paid and everything's paid on the vehicle... - There's £100 anyway.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51Well, not to us, but to the DVLA.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54Obviously once all that's done, then it's gone through...
0:20:54 > 0:20:57But like you said, they were taking the money,
0:20:57 > 0:20:59but they refunded it, so it was genuine.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01I haven't got time to be going through everything...
0:21:01 > 0:21:04It just goes to show, you should check, you know.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07'He's right, because if he had done,
0:21:07 > 0:21:09'he might just have saved himself £100.'
0:21:09 > 0:21:13So, basically, at the end of the day, it's just a bit of inconvenience,
0:21:13 > 0:21:15£100 fine, someone's got to come down and take that clamp off.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18- Or are you going to do it?- He's going to do it, yes.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21Oh, good. So apart from the 100 quid, it ain't too bad, is it?
0:21:21 > 0:21:23- No, it's not the end of the world. - OK.
0:21:23 > 0:21:24'You know what?
0:21:24 > 0:21:27'It's probably a good job the driver was in the vehicle
0:21:27 > 0:21:30'when Andrew appeared. Otherwise, he might still be clamped.'
0:21:30 > 0:21:34Andrew's now taking the clamp, it's been probably less than 20 minutes
0:21:34 > 0:21:35since he put it on.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38That guy literally didn't realise it wasn't taxed,
0:21:38 > 0:21:40he's gone to the Post Office, he's done it.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43He's paid his 100 quid over the phone.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45Quickest Andrew's ever put one on and taken it off.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49I feel like you've set a record today, Andrew.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52I'm going to have a word with Guinness Book Of Records.
0:21:52 > 0:21:53Yes, it's a record!
0:21:56 > 0:21:58Right, time to own up
0:21:58 > 0:22:02if you have problems remembering what goes in what bin.
0:22:02 > 0:22:08But this colour-coded rubbish rainbow isn't bureaucratic pettiness gone mad.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12Our local councils have to hit tough recycling targets
0:22:12 > 0:22:13or face stiff financial penalties,
0:22:13 > 0:22:18which means, yes, that's right, council taxpayers footing the bill.
0:22:18 > 0:22:23In Cardiff, any binbag bandits had better beware.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26If there is any black bags out, or there is any contaminated waste out,
0:22:26 > 0:22:29or any other issues that might occur,
0:22:29 > 0:22:32then obviously we'll deal with them as we come to them.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34Because it's recycling crackdown day.
0:22:34 > 0:22:39And the Starsky and Hutch of domestic waste, Neil and John, are on a mission.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41I've got my boots on there.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43There's just a vital bit of kit to remember first.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46You can tell he doesn't do any work.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49At least I've been through three pairs of boots.
0:22:49 > 0:22:50You're still on the same ones.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53Right, let's go.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57Suited and booted, it's time for the team to hit the road.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00To meet tough new cycling targets,
0:23:00 > 0:23:04the council want people to recycle more of their waste
0:23:04 > 0:23:05in green plastic bags,
0:23:05 > 0:23:08rather than just putting it in the general waste bins.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11If we do come across any black bags, anything like that, then,
0:23:11 > 0:23:14obviously, what we're going to do is, obviously, we'll search them.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17If we find any information which is relevant to the premises
0:23:17 > 0:23:21that we find it by, we will basically knock on the door,
0:23:21 > 0:23:23and ask them for a doorstop interview
0:23:23 > 0:23:24for why those bags are out,
0:23:24 > 0:23:26because they shouldn't be out, basically,
0:23:26 > 0:23:29because we don't obviously collect black bags any longer.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33Any residents who break the city's new recycling rules
0:23:33 > 0:23:36could face an £80 on-the-spot fine.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39But it's not long before the boys come across
0:23:39 > 0:23:41a very different type of waste.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43It's cannabis plants.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45Cannabis, yeah, cannabis crop.
0:23:46 > 0:23:47Cannabis plants!
0:23:47 > 0:23:51Now, I'm no expert, but that looks like a lot of wacky baccy to me!
0:23:51 > 0:23:53That's what it looks like from here.
0:23:53 > 0:23:54It is, definitely.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58Cut the crop down, and the actual pods which are left
0:23:58 > 0:24:01from growing them, they just discard it on any street, basically.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03But it will always be away from the property
0:24:03 > 0:24:05wherever they've actually grew all the stuff, too.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07So, it's just the waste product.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10But I've still got a feeling whoever dumped this lot
0:24:10 > 0:24:14could be looking at more than just a fine for not recycling.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16We come across this regular.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18Probably four, five times a week, like, you know.
0:24:18 > 0:24:19Five times a week?
0:24:19 > 0:24:23Gordon Bennett! As if dealing with normal rubbish wasn't bad enough.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28Oh, you can smell it, as well.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31Yeah, look, it's the remnants of it.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33Ready for production, for sale.
0:24:33 > 0:24:37The fact is, whoever's been producing this amount of cannabis
0:24:37 > 0:24:39could be looking at a lengthy prison sentence.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41That's two criminal offences.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43One is actually putting the waste out on the street.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46The second one is, obviously, harvesting an illegal crop, basically.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49If we did find any evidence in here,
0:24:49 > 0:24:52for a property, or anything like that, then, obviously,
0:24:52 > 0:24:55we'd have to contact South Wales Police, then.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59Fingers crossed whoever left this lot has slipped up and left a clue.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01No, nothing.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05Not a sausage.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08So, any chance of the lads catching this criminal
0:25:08 > 0:25:10have pretty much gone up in smoke.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15But the hunt for recycling rogues continues,
0:25:15 > 0:25:18and Neil's fixed-penalty antenna is soon twitching.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24Basically, what we've got here, now, we've got a load of green bags.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28By the look of it already, they look contaminated, to me.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34There's all sorts of stuff in here.
0:25:34 > 0:25:39A lot of this stuff shouldn't be in a green recycling bag.
0:25:39 > 0:25:44And, hang on, looks like Neil's found a bit of evidence.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46Even put bank cards in here.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48So, we've got actually a name now.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51So, what we'll do now, we'll actually
0:25:51 > 0:25:53carry on looking, see if we can find any other information.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56But we might be able to trace that name now, with the council tax,
0:25:56 > 0:25:58to find out where this has actually come from.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06So, now we've tied the credit card up with actually an address
0:26:06 > 0:26:08in the bag, and we'll knock on the door now. And if they have,
0:26:08 > 0:26:12if they answer the door now, they will have an on-the-spot fixed penalty, basically.
0:26:12 > 0:26:17Crikey. Looks like Neil's not about to let this litter lout get away with it.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26Hi, there. Morning, mate. My name's Neil from Cardiff Council enforcement.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29With reference to all the bags you've put out the front here.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32OK, unfortunately, you've presented them illegally,
0:26:32 > 0:26:35they shouldn't be out on the street. They're all contaminated.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37OK. Excuse me, sir, hello!
0:26:38 > 0:26:39Charming!
0:26:39 > 0:26:42But there's no fazing ex-prison officer Neil.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46- Do you want to call the police?- 101? - Yeah.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48He's seen it all before
0:26:48 > 0:26:52and he's not going to give up that easily.
0:26:52 > 0:26:53Hello?
0:26:55 > 0:26:59Five minutes later, the door slammer's mum opens up,
0:26:59 > 0:27:01offering to take the rubbish back in.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03No, no, no, it's too late for that, now,
0:27:03 > 0:27:06we're actually calling the South Wales Police now.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08Oh, there's more of them. I'm going to have to go.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11They've just opened the door now, so, I think it's good to be round two.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13If you were civil about it, then this wouldn't be happening.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17Unfortunately, now, what you've actually done is you've actually committed an offence.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19When you slammed the door, you slammed my hand on it, right?
0:27:19 > 0:27:22You were lucky it didn't catch in the doorway because, otherwise,
0:27:22 > 0:27:25you would be getting arrested now for assault, OK?
0:27:26 > 0:27:29So, contaminated bags put out on the wrong day,
0:27:29 > 0:27:32together with an aggressive response.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35Is that going to mean a fine?
0:27:35 > 0:27:38You might have waited, just got off with just a warning today,
0:27:38 > 0:27:40all right? But now, because of what you've done,
0:27:40 > 0:27:43I'm actually going to issue you now with a fixed penalty, all right?
0:27:43 > 0:27:45This fixed penalty is for £80.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48A fine for the rubbish it is, then.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50But what about that door slam?
0:27:50 > 0:27:54Neil explains the situation to the police.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57- Next minute, he just slammed the door straight on me, catching my hand.- OK.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01It's all right, it didn't get trapped in the door, just literally, as they slammed it, it came back.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04Then they've refused to give us any information, obviously,
0:28:04 > 0:28:06so we could follow up our inquiries.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08Since then, they've actually come to the door now,
0:28:08 > 0:28:11and they've actually given us all information now that we needed off them.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14So, from a prosecution point of view, we've got enough to carry on with, now.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16And we did try standing it down.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21Luckily for this young lad,
0:28:21 > 0:28:25experienced Neil has defused the situation, and handed out his fine.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27So, no jail time today.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29We've actually given the benefit of the doubt.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31We've educated him as well, this time,
0:28:31 > 0:28:33as to what they've actually done wrong,
0:28:33 > 0:28:35both from a violence point of view,
0:28:35 > 0:28:39and also from a waste enforcement point of view.
0:28:39 > 0:28:43At least the door-slammer will think twice before chucking out
0:28:43 > 0:28:45his DVD collection in the recycling next time.
0:28:47 > 0:28:52Last year, there were 3.5 million parking tickets issued
0:28:52 > 0:28:54in London alone.
0:28:54 > 0:28:59I've done my sums. That's over 9,500 every single day.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04Some people think that giving traffic wardens grief
0:29:04 > 0:29:06will encourage them to cancel their tickets.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08But it just won't help.
0:29:08 > 0:29:13The only real chance you have of not paying up is to appeal.
0:29:13 > 0:29:20Today, I've come to the Environment And Traffic Adjudicators Tribunal in London, to meet Dr Kurt Barling.
0:29:20 > 0:29:24He's disputing parking fines totalling £315
0:29:24 > 0:29:28that he believes were not served fairly.
0:29:28 > 0:29:32He's here today to try and get the ruling overturned.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35My car got lifted from outside my house, well,
0:29:35 > 0:29:36four doors up from my house.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38Right, so that's an expensive problem.
0:29:38 > 0:29:39It was a very expensive problem.
0:29:39 > 0:29:43Actually, my daughter had parked it halfway across this driveway
0:29:43 > 0:29:45which is a neighbour's driveway.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48It's typical commuter country where commuters come in,
0:29:48 > 0:29:50in droves, in the morning, and park all the way along the roads.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52You've never got anywhere to park. So,
0:29:52 > 0:29:55we've got plenty of experience of having difficulties parking,
0:29:55 > 0:29:57so we've got this little regime going.
0:29:57 > 0:30:02Anyway, this particular day, we didn't anticipate a neighbour
0:30:02 > 0:30:04calling the local enforcement officers.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07Was this guy actually blocked in now?
0:30:07 > 0:30:09- Yes.- OK. - Technically, he was blocked in.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12- How much was the penalty, Kurt? - £255.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15- And £60 parking fine. - Ouch.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19'As parking problems on Kurt's road are a regular occurrence,
0:30:19 > 0:30:22'he's even made himself a sign to put in the car window.'
0:30:22 > 0:30:25So, look, that's what I put on the back.
0:30:25 > 0:30:26OK. "Apologies for parking here.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29"As usual, commuters have cluttered up the road. Grr!
0:30:29 > 0:30:32"Just knock, we're in, and we'll move in a jiffy.
0:30:32 > 0:30:33"Thanks. Kurt and Kim."
0:30:33 > 0:30:36Everyone knows who Kurt and Kim is. We've lived there for 24 years.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38I'm going to give you my unbiased opinion on this.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41You have blocked someone in on their driveway.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43I've seen the law. And the letter of the law is quite clear.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45Enfield has told me what the law is.
0:30:45 > 0:30:50I think it's unreasonable, disproportionate, and vexatious.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53'Er, I think he means "annoying"!'
0:30:53 > 0:30:57Now, in an ideal world today, what are you hoping for?
0:30:57 > 0:31:01- For this to be completely wiped? - Yes, completely.
0:31:01 > 0:31:04With over £300 at stake, Dr Barling is hoping that
0:31:04 > 0:31:08head adjudicator Caroline Hamilton will see his side of the story.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10Yes, thank you, bring him in.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16Come in, come in, sir. Have a seat there.
0:31:16 > 0:31:17'Over to you, Caroline!'
0:31:17 > 0:31:20The allegation is that, on the 13th of January of this year,
0:31:20 > 0:31:23you parked adjacent to a dropped footway.
0:31:24 > 0:31:29And I can see that your vehicle was ticketed,
0:31:29 > 0:31:32and it was removed by the enforcement authority.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35- Is this your vehicle? - It is.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38And I can see here that that footway is dropped to meet the kerb.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41All right, tell me why it is you believe that you are entitled
0:31:41 > 0:31:43to park in front of this dropped kerb?
0:31:43 > 0:31:47What you've got to bear in mind is that this road is a very busy road.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50- Right.- It's a road that commuters use,
0:31:50 > 0:31:53and have used for years. It's been a bone of contention for years.
0:31:53 > 0:31:58So, what led you to believe you were entitled to park over another neighbour's driveway?
0:31:59 > 0:32:04'OK. Caroline's not impressed, yet. But will Kurt's sign do the trick?
0:32:04 > 0:32:07Kurt and Kim? You're Kurt, are you?
0:32:07 > 0:32:09- Kim's my wife.- Right.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11"Apologies for parking here.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14"As usual, commuters have cluttered up the road. Grr!"
0:32:14 > 0:32:16I see, so, you have the habit of popping that in your vehicle?
0:32:16 > 0:32:19I've got two vehicles. And if we have to park across,
0:32:19 > 0:32:23we always do that, and everyone knows us. I've lived on the road for 24 years.
0:32:23 > 0:32:28- So, on the 13th of January at some point, she parked there. - Absolutely.
0:32:28 > 0:32:33'So, the sign didn't work. Is there anything that can persuade Caroline?'
0:32:33 > 0:32:36So, what's your ground of appeal?
0:32:36 > 0:32:37I think it's unreasonable.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40Given the circumstances of the road, given the history,
0:32:40 > 0:32:46given that we know this particular complainant never moves his vehicle.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49Your case is that you believe you were entitled to park,
0:32:49 > 0:32:50or you should be entitled to park there
0:32:50 > 0:32:53because your neighbour doesn't use his vehicle?
0:32:53 > 0:32:55I think we're not entitled, the law says,
0:32:55 > 0:32:57as you've told me, and as the local authority has told me.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00I think my daughter assumed, because there's no-one...
0:33:00 > 0:33:03So, now you're saying the case is that she thought she could park there
0:33:03 > 0:33:04because it wasn't restricted?
0:33:04 > 0:33:06Well, I can't argue that because I don't know.
0:33:06 > 0:33:10'Anyone else think Caroline's closing in on a decision?'
0:33:10 > 0:33:12'Is this fine going to be upheld?
0:33:12 > 0:33:15All right. Is there anything else you want to tell me about this incident
0:33:15 > 0:33:17that you feel you haven't already told me?
0:33:17 > 0:33:19No. Only that I've done my best,
0:33:19 > 0:33:22we do our best, to be considerate neighbours.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25And so we are aggrieved.
0:33:26 > 0:33:31So, Dr Barling's daughter parked his car partially over a neighbour's
0:33:31 > 0:33:33driveway, and left a note in the window.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36But, is the doctor's version of events enough
0:33:36 > 0:33:38to make Caroline side with him, or will she uphold
0:33:38 > 0:33:42the council's decision to fine and remove the vehicle?
0:33:44 > 0:33:46You weren't entitled to park there.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50The enforcement authority was entitled to issue an instant ticket
0:33:50 > 0:33:54to your vehicle. This enforcement authority was entitled to issue
0:33:54 > 0:33:57the ticket, and the enforcement authority was entitled
0:33:57 > 0:34:00to remove the vehicle because it was causing an obstruction.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03I'm not going to be able to allow your appeal on that basis.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05All right? Thank you very much for coming.
0:34:05 > 0:34:07OK. Thank you.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09So, the decision of the council has been upheld,
0:34:09 > 0:34:16leaving Dr Barling out of pocket to the tune of £315.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18All right. Not the outcome you wanted?
0:34:18 > 0:34:20No, clearly not, no.
0:34:20 > 0:34:21Sometimes, the law is an ass, and,
0:34:21 > 0:34:24I think, in this case the law is an ass, you know. Erm...
0:34:24 > 0:34:29You've got to try and present your case as effectively as you can.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32On this occasion, it wasn't effective enough.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34For me, was always about the principle.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36For many people, I'm sure,
0:34:36 > 0:34:38money isn't always the issue, the principle is.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41- You'll take it on the chin and learn a lesson?- Absolutely.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43- And tell your daughter not to park there again.- Yes, exactly.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46Kurt, thanks for your time, much appreciated.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57Let's be honest. We're all guilty of speeding at some point in our lives.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59But, nowadays, things have changed.
0:34:59 > 0:35:03If you get caught doing over 50 in a 30 zone,
0:35:03 > 0:35:0590 in a 60 zone
0:35:05 > 0:35:06or 100 in a 70 zone,
0:35:06 > 0:35:12you could now be fined a whopping 150% of your weekly wage.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15Now that's going to hurt everyone.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18The new laws came in in April 2017,
0:35:18 > 0:35:20and apply to drivers everywhere,
0:35:20 > 0:35:24even up here on Dartmoor in Devon.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27Dartmoor is a hugely popular tourist destination,
0:35:27 > 0:35:29and has a big farming community.
0:35:29 > 0:35:33But it's also a notorious cut-through for traffic
0:35:33 > 0:35:36trying to avoid the area's busier roads.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39And, unfortunately, not all the inhabitants
0:35:39 > 0:35:43of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty can read road signs.
0:35:43 > 0:35:49Every one of these RTCs is potentially a fatality for the driver.
0:35:49 > 0:35:51If you hit one of these big animals at speed,
0:35:51 > 0:35:54it must be like hitting a brick wall.
0:35:54 > 0:35:58Dartmoor's ponies are allowed to graze free across the moor.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00But that's come at a cost.
0:36:00 > 0:36:04160 animals were killed by drivers on Dartmoor last year.
0:36:04 > 0:36:08But anyone speeding out here had better beware because Gregg Manning
0:36:08 > 0:36:13and the Community Speed Watch might just be waiting for you.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16The high-viz jackets certainly help.
0:36:16 > 0:36:18I mean, to start with, from a distance,
0:36:18 > 0:36:21they don't know if we're police or if we are Community Speed Watch.
0:36:21 > 0:36:26And we're not just talking about a leisurely drive in the countryside, either.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29Recently, we've had some data taken off our speed devices,
0:36:29 > 0:36:31and there are some horrific speeds.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34You know, 117mph, on a B-road
0:36:34 > 0:36:36that's open to animals and people.
0:36:36 > 0:36:40It would be bad enough on the motorway with everybody going in the same direction.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42But here, it's beyond belief, frankly.
0:36:42 > 0:36:46It is, when you realise the limit on these roads is just 40mph.
0:36:46 > 0:36:50Luckily, Gregg's got his radar speed gun at the ready,
0:36:50 > 0:36:52to catch any wannabe racing drivers.
0:36:52 > 0:36:56We record both the index plate of the vehicle,
0:36:56 > 0:36:58the speeding vehicles only,
0:36:58 > 0:37:04and the make, model and colour, and we also do a count,
0:37:04 > 0:37:06so we know how many vehicles.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08And then we can work out the percentage of those vehicles
0:37:08 > 0:37:10that are actually exceeding the limit.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16Normally, Gregg's team hand the speed gun info to the police who
0:37:16 > 0:37:18dish out warning letters.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20He's dropping down again, now.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23But, today, the cavalry, well, the police, have arrived in person,
0:37:23 > 0:37:25and they're out to issue some tickets.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29- Good afternoon. I'm Gregg.- Hi, pleased to meet you, Gregg.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32We're probably visible from space now, with all this high-viz!
0:37:32 > 0:37:36Meet Special Police Constable Chris Haynes-Brown.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41We are special constables ourselves, so we're also volunteers.
0:37:41 > 0:37:45And it's great to see that we've got community spirit that can pull
0:37:45 > 0:37:46together these groups
0:37:46 > 0:37:50that will raise awareness of the speeding issues across the moor.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52Only today, we've just driven past a dead pony
0:37:52 > 0:37:55on the side of the road that a car's hit.
0:37:55 > 0:37:59We're laser-trained, so we can prosecute,
0:37:59 > 0:38:04and we will prosecute those drivers that go over a certain threshold of speed.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07But, first, they've got to catch them in the act.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10Although it looks like a bit of a slow start...
0:38:10 > 0:38:12Got a bicycle coming now.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14- He needs to pedal a bit faster. - Yeah!
0:38:18 > 0:38:20- Oh, that's good, it's good. - LAUGHTER
0:38:20 > 0:38:22Next time, mate.
0:38:22 > 0:38:23But, it's not long before
0:38:23 > 0:38:26the police get a real speeder in their sights...
0:38:26 > 0:38:2855mph.
0:38:28 > 0:38:32..because this Land Rover's well over the limit.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36Do you mind if I jump in? I'm just going to caution you.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39- So, you're not under arrest. - Mm-hm.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42And once we've finished with the paperwork, you are free to leave.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44So, you do not have to say anything
0:38:44 > 0:38:47but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned
0:38:47 > 0:38:49something which you later rely on in court.
0:38:49 > 0:38:51Anything you do say may be given in evidence. Do you understand?
0:38:51 > 0:38:54Oh, dear. It's not looking good.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56He's being read his rights already.
0:38:56 > 0:39:01Effectively, you've been caught doing 55mph in a 40 limit.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04Do know whether you've got any points on your licence?
0:39:04 > 0:39:06Yeah, I have, I've got three at the minute.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08Three points? Whoops.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10He really should have known better, then.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13But does the owner of this Land Rover have an excuse up his sleeve?
0:39:13 > 0:39:16I've just been out to a farm to deliver a tractor,
0:39:16 > 0:39:18and I was just my way back home.
0:39:18 > 0:39:22I thought it was higher than it was on here.
0:39:22 > 0:39:26And actually I didn't even realise I was doing the speed I was doing, to be fair.
0:39:26 > 0:39:28That's a "no", then.
0:39:28 > 0:39:33So, Chris clocked this driver doing 55 in a 40-mile-an-hour zone.
0:39:33 > 0:39:40The law says that three points and a fine of 50% of the driver's weekly wage. Ouch!
0:39:40 > 0:39:43So, all I need now is your signature on the bottom, there.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46Looks like Chris has got him bang to rights.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51The question is, has he learnt his lesson?
0:39:51 > 0:39:56I know not to be doing 50 along this bit again, that is for certain.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58So, that's yours.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00OK.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03I wish you a better start to the bank holiday weekend.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07Take it on the chin, and thanks for being so civil.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11- That's all right.- OK. He now realises that it's a 40 along here.
0:40:11 > 0:40:15He was very civil, that's exactly the perfect person to pull over.
0:40:15 > 0:40:19It will be, for him, most likely, a financial penalty,
0:40:19 > 0:40:21and more points on his licence.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26It's scary how quickly these eagle-eyed volunteers
0:40:26 > 0:40:30and special constables start racking up speeding offences.
0:40:31 > 0:40:35But their hard work trying to protect the livestock and motorists
0:40:35 > 0:40:37here isn't always appreciated.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41They've called us "wombles" on social media,
0:40:41 > 0:40:44but I've come up with an acronym for that
0:40:44 > 0:40:47which is Working On Moors Because Locals Exceed Speed.
0:40:47 > 0:40:48So that's why we're WOMBLES.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50We thought they'd work that out.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54We're talking speeding, not littering!
0:40:54 > 0:40:57Hang on a minute. That motorcyclist looks like he was going some.
0:40:57 > 0:41:03This bike has just been recorded as doing 56mph
0:41:03 > 0:41:06on the B3212, just coming out of Postbridge
0:41:06 > 0:41:09which is a 40-mile-an-hour limit.
0:41:09 > 0:41:13So, my colleague is going to process him, give him a ticket.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16Doing 56 might not sound like much
0:41:16 > 0:41:19but I wouldn't fancy hitting a pony at that speed.
0:41:19 > 0:41:23And he's not the only two-wheeled speed demon they've had a run in with.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29He came from that side. He was going this way.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32And he stopped, and he almost stopped,
0:41:32 > 0:41:35and he wiggled the back of his bike,
0:41:35 > 0:41:37revved up, lifted his front wheel
0:41:37 > 0:41:41and shot off in that direction so fast we couldn't get his number plate.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44But it was a blatant, sort of, you know...
0:41:45 > 0:41:49Today's Dartmoor demon doing 56 in a 40 zone
0:41:49 > 0:41:54is facing a whopping fine of 100% of his weekly salary.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56I bet he didn't see that coming.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04It's proved that working with Dartmoor National Park,
0:42:04 > 0:42:07Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society
0:42:07 > 0:42:10and the community volunteers that man Dartmoor Speed Watch,
0:42:10 > 0:42:13we've really come together well today,
0:42:13 > 0:42:17they've recorded 20 vehicles out of 120 vehicles that have gone by.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19We've issued a few tickets as well.
0:42:19 > 0:42:24And so, hopefully, this is going to reinforce the message that more care is really important.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32So, the police are on their way, leaving Gregg and his team to carry
0:42:32 > 0:42:36on slowing down the speedsters and protecting the ponies.
0:42:37 > 0:42:42It would be nicer if we could come out here and record 127 cars
0:42:42 > 0:42:45and have no speeding vehicles. That's what we're aiming for.
0:42:45 > 0:42:49But I think we've got a way to go yet before we can achieve that.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54That's all for today. Join me next time when I'll be out
0:42:54 > 0:42:57with the men and women who issue Britain's on-the-spot fines.