Gloucestershire Constabulary and Chalford Parish Council are addressing a troubling issue in the village of Chalford, where fake parking notices are being placed on a vehicle parked in the Silver Street Car Park. The vehicle owner, though residing nearby, is not a resident of Silver Street itself, which has apparently sparked the targeted harassment.
The Silver Street Car Park is publicly owned and managed by Chalford Parish Council and is open for use by all, not just residents of Silver Street. Despite this, an individual has been repeatedly targeted with false penalty notices, including fraudulent Police Penalty Notices and fake parish council citations.
Authorities have highlighted that the creation and placement of these false notices constitute an offence under Section 2 of the Fraud Act 2006—Fraud by False Representation. This offence involves dishonesty aimed at gaining an advantage or causing loss or risk to another, and carries a maximum imprisonment sentence of 10 years. Additionally, the ongoing harassment of the vehicle owner through these actions may lead to further legal consequences.
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Gloucestershire Police have strongly urged the perpetrator(s) to cease these activities immediately. They have called on community members to report any further incidents to the Chalford Parish Council. Should the behavior persist, police intend to launch a thorough investigation and impose appropriate sanctions.
PCSO Amelia Loveridge from Gloucestershire Constabulary emphasized the seriousness of the matter, underscoring the community’s right to use the public car park and the illegality of the harassment the vehicle owner has endured. Residents witnessing suspicious behavior or possessing relevant information are encouraged to come forward to aid in resolving the issue.