Illegally parked car blown up by London police
By David Menzies
Being penalized by the state for parking illegally is all part of the game when it comes to motoring in the big city. Be it a hefty parking ticket, having one’s car whisked away by a tow truck or suffering the indignities of the Denver Boot, there are myriad ways the authorities can punish those who park unlawfully… including, it would appear, blowing up an offending vehicle.
Just ask Michael Raphel, 28.
Raphel illegally parked his Honda Civic Type R on double yellow lines less than half a klick away from the British prime minister’s 10 Downing Street residence in London.
Metropolitan Police reviewed CCTV footage that showed Raphel somewhat suspiciously running away from his illegally-parked vehicle. Fearing the Honda might contain a bomb, the cops decided to play it safe. Which is to say, in the words of SCTV’s Billy Sol Hurock and Big Jim McBob, they “blowed up” Raphel’s Honda “real good.”
Alas, it turns out Raphel isn’t a card-carrying member of Al-Qaeda after all. Rather, he’s a businessman from Headington, Oxford who was visiting London to celebrate a friend’s birthday.
But when the parking scofflaw returned to where he had left his car, the sight that greeted him was the smoldering remains of his Civic – as well as a bevy of anti-terrorism Bobbies.
“They [cops] explained that because I was seen running from the car and because of the [Remembrance Day] parades the next day, it had heightened their suspicions,” Raphel told The Times. “The driver and passenger windows had been blown out and the bonnet and boot had come open with the force.”
Raphel, who owns a men’s clothing store, says he plans to seek compensation from the police as well as an apology.
Click here to say what other people are saying about the blown-up car on Bing
“We have laughed about it a bit now but I’m a bit gutted to be honest,” he says. “The car was registered to me – I’m sure there are ways they [police] could have contacted me if they had really tried to.”
Alas, Raphel may have his work cut out for him in terms of receiving compensation. A spokesperson for confused.com (a U.K. insurance website) says it’s unlikely Raphel will take delivery of any payout given his car was illegally parked upon detonation.
Posted by: Jimi | 2009-11-30 2:23:17 AM
Even if a car is parked illegally, that doesn't mean you can do just anything to it.
Parking illegally and then running from your car? How can this be explained.
Maybe you were in a hurry. Explains why you would park illegally and why you would be running.
What terrorist in their right mind would park the car illegally? That only draws attention to it.
If I hit a car that is parked illegally it is still my fault. I would also be responsible if I broke into it to steal valueables. The man definitely deserves to be paid for his car, minus a parking ticket, possibly plus money for damages.
Posted by: a | 2009-11-30 2:29:01 AM
that's really funny...but let assure you, I won't be driving in London.
Posted by: Dan | 2009-11-30 7:45:44 AM
Serves him right.
Posted by: Lester | 2009-11-30 9:35:23 AM
The depth of insanity in the National Security State knows apparently no bounds. Even the bloodthirsty bolsheviks didn't stoop to such depths. Maybe because their Enemies of State didn't have cars, they satisfied themselves with just confiscating property. That's one small step closer to sanity than UK State Security!
Citizens beware! The next level is the barbed wire, South Africa style.
Posted by: Katherine | 2009-11-30 9:47:20 AM
Sorry dude - no sympathy. Bet you won't park illegally again, and hopefully your experience will give other people who think it is their right to park illegally, something to think about.
The laws are for everyone Mr. Raphael - not for everyone else but you.
Posted by: Andrew Hawkins | 2009-11-30 10:31:03 AM
How sad is this?
We faced bombs going off on the mainland as a regular occurrence for the best part of 30 years during the "troubles" and I don't ever remember anyone's car getting blown up for double parking.
Have we become so scared that this is how we react?
On top of that is it acceptable that our insurance is null and void as soon as we park illegally?
This is appalling. With the amount of CCTV coverage available in the most caught-on-film country in the world I find it hard to believe there was no way to track and contact the owner.
Posted by: Mike | 2009-11-30 11:05:08 AM
Haha! Thats a great story! This just goes to show how powerful fear mongering propaganda is. If the parade was the next day why not try and figure out who owned the car and talk to them before just blowing it to kingdom come? Doesn't London have a Camera pointed in every direction possible? Why didn't they review the video footage, figure out where he ran and went over to talk to him? One would think that apprehending a Terrorist suspect would be highest priority.
Posted by: Forbes | 2009-11-30 11:20:43 AM
Always hated parking laws, just another way of lining pockets in government. Now in Britian, it would seem they have the right to remove a car completely for poor parking.
Osama must be laughing at what loops we are going through all in the name of anti-terrorism.
Posted by: anon | 2009-11-30 12:39:29 PM
Being illegally parked does not condone detonating it. its sickening what passes for a 'cop' these days. Would detonating the car not create a potential hazard for people in the vicinity anyways? They blew up the car to avoid it blowing up itself. Genius.
Posted by: Francis Naud | 2009-11-30 12:43:55 PM
Lol the polices just wanted to have some fun :)
Posted by: Chink Wang | 2009-11-30 2:16:22 PM
Hmmm, good thing we can rely on the London Parking Police to protect our cars from vandalism....
Wait...... Nevermind
Posted by: alex rozon | 2009-11-30 2:17:29 PM
wow if i was in his place i would tell the police to give me a new honda or tell them they could of gived me a big fine but blowing up a car that's nuts i would of been really mad at them
Posted by: Mike Krisko | 2009-11-30 2:34:36 PM
Illegally Parked Car Blown Up By London Police,
" he plans to seek compensation from the police...(but)... U.K. insurance says it’s unlikely Raphel will take delivery of any payout given his car was illegally parked...". This reply from the insurance and one which the police will try to rely as a ground to refuse compenstaion is weak and lame.
Doubtful that 'parking illegally' is a criminal offence, and certainly not one serious enough to warrant the extreme actions taken by the police; nor, that he was videoed running from his car.
The whole thing underlines that the police are taking advantage of the terrorism issue to justify any of their actions, to increase their complement, their salaries, and hide incompetence.
Hardwon legal and human rights are being eroded by the police worldwide under the terrorism or drug enforcement issues; anything goes, is the contemporary police mentality. The public, politicans, courts and other of our institutions are forever giving in to the police who use these 'dramatic' safety issues to justify their actions.
The politicians, public and courts, should start holding the police much more responsible and financially accountable for their actions, before our natural and legal rights are totally eroded by the police. Though the police are a necessary and legitimate agency of any legal system, it is the rule of law and the Chief Magistrate that must prevail, not law enforcement! Let us remember always, throughout the days of claims and antics by the police, "The subject who is truly loyal to the Chief Magistrate will neither advise nor submit to arbitrary measures." -- Junius.
Give Rapheal his compensation plus - an apology!
Greetings From Canada,
Mike
Posted by: Laura | 2009-11-30 2:35:15 PM
That is crossing the line. They blew up his car without any proof. I think if they were that concerned they would have called a bomb squad in to check it out. Yes he was parked illegally but he didn't park there knowing since it was illegal they would blow his car up. I am sure if he knew that he would have parked several blocks over. What if the car had been brand new? Getting a car towed is cheaper then getting a new one while still paying off the old one. I think the police should have to replace the car. No where does it say illegal parking will result in blown up car. I mean people get out of cars all the time and run to things. Now everyone is a terrorist. Why did they not follow him? I think it was a major over reaction on the police's part.
Posted by: LMFO | 2009-11-30 3:09:18 PM
Compensation? Hardly. I think he's lucky that the tax payers will foot the bill of what it cost to secure the area and clean up. Of all the illegal parking spots, he really picked a bad one!
Posted by: Muslim | 2009-11-30 3:28:53 PM
And you call us Muslims terrorists? As far as Muslims are concerned you Westerners and your governments are the most trigger, or shall I say bomb, happy people on this earth. From Hiroshima and Nagasaki to Iraq and Afghanistan the proof is against your false claims and cries of "terrorism." If you Crusaders had any sense of manhood or honesty, which you will never have, you would admit you are fighting against Islam.
Posted by: Pauls | 2009-11-30 4:00:27 PM
What ! They make a mistake and are not going to compensate for the owner's car ? Why ? because it was illegally parked ?Was there smoke in the air before they did this ? Are they just fools.?He may have looked suspicious but after examination was found non-threatening.Remind me NOT to go there.
Posted by: blacka murray | 2009-11-30 5:28:38 PM
if you visitor are live in london and you drive please remember when stop and geting out of your car please dont run it is not fun for your car it will be blow up by the london police will if you dont like your car then you can run and take the train are the bus back this is to remind you to do the right thing the right is dont run from your car
Posted by: Cuckhold Don | 2009-11-30 6:29:00 PM
Makes one wonder when we might get past our fear of EVERYTHING(Paranioa)
With todays tecnoligy Would think they could have BOXED the car in with bomb shielding or something till they contacted the owner & sorted things out!
Cuckhold Don
Posted by: The Twins - Star & Angel | 2009-11-30 8:08:58 PM
wow? over recation much? just proves how much cops love power. Cops are so disgusting if they take illagal parking to this level. if i came back and found MY car blown up id be pretty pissed.... thats so sad that that man has to buy a new car.... wow.
Angel
i cant belive this crap.. if they REALLY thought there waz a bomb in there they wouldn't have bombed it.. oh yes.. bomb a bomb.. like tht won't create a bigger bomb... a 14 yr old nos better.. ud think they would 2.. .y didnt they just find him from the tape???? wht idoits.. like what bull shit...
glad we live in canada..
Star