Police to hand over seized vehicles to schools amid huge number of cars destined for scrap

Police across the South West have resorted to donating seized vehicles from drivers who broke the rules to schools and colleges in the latest move to crackdown on anti-social behaviour.

Devon and Cornwall Police revealed that they have already donated seized vehicles to Truro College’s automotive department, giving unclaimed cars a new lease of life in education.

The move comes after the force recovered 1,886 vehicles throughout 2024, with the first batch being handed over last Thursday as part of an initiative to redirect vehicles from “the scrap heap to the classroom”.

The donation aims to assist automotive students with their studies, providing hands-on experience with real vehicles that were previously seized by police.

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Under UK law, police have the power to seize a vehicle if they have reasonable grounds to suspect it’s been or is being used in connection with a crime. They can also seize a vehicle if it’s been involved in an accident, parked illegally, or is untaxed.

Road Casualty Reduction Officers worked alongside the Force Vehicle Recovery team to identify suitable vehicles that had remained unclaimed after being impounded.

The donated vehicles included a Skoda Fabia, a Honda Civic and a Citroen C3, each offering different specifications for students to work with.

According to Sergeant Owen Messenger of the Roads Policing Team, the vehicles had been seized for various infractions, including drivers having no licence or no car insurance, both of which can result in cars being taken.

Messenger said: “Working in partnership with colleges in Devon and Cornwall allows us to give the vehicles a new purpose and contribute to a better learning experience for automotive students.

“We’re dedicated to working with young drivers and providing essential road safety education. This initiative is a fantastic opportunity for the team to build and strengthen relationships with young drivers and we’re looking forward to continuing this valuable work.”

The police team’s involvement extends beyond vehicle donation, incorporating vital road safety awareness into the programme.

Phil Hanson, Motor vehicle lecturer at Truro and Penwith College, praised the impact of the donation on student development.

He added: “The kind donation of these vehicles allows our students to engage directly with real-world automotive systems, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary for successful careers in the motor vehicle industry.

“The road safety awareness talks delivered by the police have been instrumental in fostering a deeper understanding of the importance of road safety and legal compliance within industry.”

If a vehicle is seized by police drivers must pay a release fee of up to £200 plus a storage fee of £20 for every day or part day.

The Road Casualty Reduction team will continue their collaboration with Truro College, exploring further opportunities to support and educate students and young drivers.

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Schools, colleges and universities across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly can now participate in this seized vehicle scheme.

In response to the move, some drivers have shared mixed feelings with many referring to it as a “good idea” but some have questioned why the “seized vehicles have become ‘donated’ vehicles”.

Another person shared: “This could be done with seized cars from people who don’t pay insurance rather than crushing them. Far better use.”