WHILE visiting Launceston for the Heart FM Christmas Market a man from Chard, Somerset, was left stranded after his vehicle was towed, which he said was done for ‘no reason’.

However, police confirmed the vehicle was seized as it was deemed to be parked ‘in a dangerous position’.

Stephen King, a Blue Badge holder, parked his vehicle outside Cornwall Smallholders Supplies in Launceston on Southgate Street on December 8 whilst he attended the Christmas market in the Town Hall with his family.

Stephen said: “I went to the Christmas market and parked on a double yellow line and the police towed my car. I had my Blue Badge on display and I can see no reason at all why they towed my car.”

Stephen said he had parked at 9.30am, giving him until 12.30pm to return to his vehicle. The Blue Badge can enable up to three hours of parking on a double yellow line. Upon returning to his vehicle just after 12pm Stephen was shocked to find his vehicle was missing. He contacted the police, initially believing the vehicle had been stolen, and was informed it had been towed at 12.08pm as it was parked ‘in a dangerous place’. Stephen said: “I was shocked. I didn’t even get a parking ticket, they just towed the car before the three hours were up — it’s not right.

“My medication was also in the car at the time but the police officer I spoke to wouldn’t let me access the car to get it and said they weren’t allowed to get it for me. It was putting my life at risk.

“To be honest I’ve not done anything wrong. It left me stranded and has caused a lot of stress for me and my family.”

In response a Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said: “This matter took place during the Heart FM Christmas Market where upwards of 7,000 people visited Launceston Town Centre.

“Whilst having a Blue Badge does allow a vehicle to be parked on double yellow lines, it is not a licence to park anywhere the driver pleases. Regulations for Blue Badge use makes it clear that If you park a vehicle where it would cause an obstruction or danger to other road users, you could be fined, receive a Penalty Charge Notice or have your vehicle removed.

“The vehicle in question was parked on a busy street and very close to a crossroads; this caused traffic chaos for the duration of the time it was parked there and we received a number of complaints from the public and road users in relation to this. It was deemed that this vehicle was parked in a dangerous position and needed to be moved.

“The police made extensive efforts to trace the driver of the vehicle but were unsuccessful. It was therefore removed as a matter of urgency under police powers.

“The driver eventually returned and advised police his medication was at home and he needed to get home to take it. He was informed where the nearest pharmacy was for an emergency prescription and was given the details of the recovery agents in relation to his vehicle.

“It is the driver’s responsibility to make contact with them and arrange access to his vehicle.”