Car Clear is a partnership between Avon Fire and Rescue, Avon and Somerset Police and individual local authorities. The main aims of the initiative are to reduce vehicle arson and improve the quality of life of communities within the area. Car Clear began operating across the whole of Avon in February 2002.

The Car Clear scheme has clear aims, these are:

1. Community awareness – Informing the public of the problem and offering them ways of reducing it. One of the most successful elements of the community awareness strand is the Vandalised Vehicles Hotline. The hotline gives the public a dedicated line through which to report abandoned vehicles that have already suffered damage or are in a poor condition. This avoids the frustrations of being passed between a variety of agencies whilst a decision is made regarding responsibility. The hotline is managed and run by Avon and Somerset Police.
 

You can call the Car Clear Free phone number 080008 35115 to report any vandalised or vulnerable car.

 
2. Vehicle removal. This includes the following schemes:
• 101 Removal Scheme – This scheme relies upon the police to identify and check vehicles. However, it is run and funded by the local authority who collect and dispose of the vehicles. This scheme applies to vandalised or abandoned vehicles that present a danger to the public and as such, vehicles are removed within 24 hours of identification.
• Police/Fire Scheme – This scheme allows the immediate removal of any vehicle which, in the identifying police officer’s opinion, is likely to be vandalised or set alight (following authorisation from the duty inspector). These vehicles are removed by the police recovery contractors within 30 minutes of identification and disposed of or stored dependent upon the value of the vehicle. As well as being a quicker and more proactive service, this scheme (unlike 101) is available at weekends.