Fed up residents on the Montgomery Crescent estate in Harold Hill say they are fuming with car owners who are dumping car wrecks on their doorsteps, making the place look like a "war zone."

Added to the misery of the parked cars, locals say they are angry at the ongoing debate between Havering council and the police over who should move the cars.

One resident, who refused to be named, said: "It's not fair, these people don't live round here but they come and dump their cars. the place is going to rack and ruin. The broken glass and burnt out cars are making the place look like a war zone.

"I keep calling the council and the police but nothing seems to be done."

Sgt Mick Adamson from Harold Hill police says abandoned cars are not the responsibility of the police. He said it is the responsibility of a council contractor who is employed to move them.

He said: "Unless the cars are untaxed and on the road then there is nothing we can do. "

And Sgt Adamson added: "At the recent Community Area Forum meeting Cllr Denis O'Flynn revealed that the council contractor employed to remove cars cannot cope with the workload.

"It's just not our responsibility, even when we do make a note of untaxed vehicles we send the details to the DVLA and they take the matter to court."

Cllr O'Flynn retaliated by accusing the police of making excuses.

He said: "There are as many cars parked on the road without tax as there are abandoned cars.

"I have done my own early morning survey and could give the police the registration numbers of the offending cars.

"Not only do these cars look awful they are a safety hazard, the petrol tanks are not always empty and children play in them."

He added: "It is true that the council contractor who covers several other London boroughs has over stretched himself but I wish the police would try to work together with the council to do something positive."

A spokesman from Havering council said: "Arrangements have already been made with the council's transport and engineering team to dispose of the cars as quickly as possible."

"Havering council currently has a pilot scheme to collect surrendered vehicles free of charge and help prevent cars from being dumped. Anyone who has an old car/MOT failure they wish to dispose of should call the council on 01708 772796."

Picture, above: URBAN DECAY: The "rack and ruin" of the car parks in and around the Montgomery Crescent estate in Harold Hill.

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