Car impounded after breakdown, they wont let me retrieve my items

[horseshoe]

I am at the end of my tether literally.

My car broke down just before an A road late last night. I had the two young kids in the car and was still 30 minutes from home. I didn't want to wait all hours for the AA with them in the car and so some guys helped me up onto the pavement which really was my only option and I left a note with my telephone number inside the car and so I made my way home and got up early first thing this morning to call the AA.

Drove to meet them at the car and the council had already had it impounded.

I phoned the impound and they said they were not obliged to contact me and tell me they had taken the car. Also it would cost £190 + £25 per day storage. As the car is only worth £500 and will probably cost in the region of £200 to fix I thought I would cut my losses and let them keep it. BUT they are refusing to let me clear my car out. They said I can have anything urgent and my child seat but that is it. When I told them I was coming back from a weekend away and had a suitcase filled with mine and the kids clothes they have said tough and that basically the only way I can get it back is if I pay up.

They will also only give me 15 days to find the money or they will scrap everything.

I am so annoyed. I overpack for everything and all the kids best clothes are in the suitcase as well as all of our essentials!!!! Plus the blanket I had both DD's in when I bought them home from the hospital!

I am hoping someone here can tell me it's illegal and quote me some theft law or something!

no legal help here but have you tried ringing your local Citizend advice or even try ringing/popping into your local police station as they may be able to help. Can't see why your childens clothes etc are not valuable items. Good luck

Yes tried citizens advice. They never answer phones so will go down there on their open morning which is Wednesday!!!
I just cant believe they didn't at least try to help me. They really were just tough s*it with me. I called the council who they work for and they were not much better. Just told me to go to the yard and try and beg

well hopefully someone more knowledgable will come along and help you, I'll have a quick google to see if I can find anything

well hopefully someone more knowledgable will come along and help you, I'll have a quick google to see if I can find anything

can you ring a local paper?

Was thinking about the papers. I know it sounds silly but I just cant take the pressure at the moment. Going through a painful seperation from my husband and as a result I have lost my job cause I couldn't afford the childcare repayments and to live. Went away to relax and now this. Arrrggggghhhh

Was thinking about the papers. I know it sounds silly but I just cant take the pressure at the moment. Going through a painful seperation from my husband and as a result I have lost my job cause I couldn't afford the childcare repayments and to live. Went away to relax and now this. Arrrggggghhhh

no go for it ring the paper you must have rights to get your kids and your stuff back plus any documentation with your name/details etc as this could possibly used for identity theft (just found that on my google search!)

that sounds awful, horseshoe. ring the damned paper in the morning and do the full sob bit. doens't sound like it's be too difficult at the moment. [hug]

hi horseshoe, which council is it??

name and shame!!!