SAGA OF THE ABANDONED MINI COOPER IN BUSHY PARK CONTINUES…..
The enthralling and farcical saga of the abandoned Mini Cooper in the Diana Fountain car park in Bushy Park is continuing to bewilder regular visitors.
The story, first highlighted by Teddington Town on March 26, has developed a life of its own yet shows no sign of being resolved – amazingly.
It remains undamaged and the parking ticket, which was originally on the windscreen, has disappeared.
Here’s a reminder of who says what in this enduring mystery of the Mini…..….
The police: “We are aware of the vehicle, it was issued a parking ticket by ourselves. At this stage there is nothing suspicious. This is not a council matter as the car is parked on Royal Parks land. It would be up to the Royal parks to remove the vehicle. We are in touch with them and will agree a way forward.”
On social media the police added: “Met police have run checks on this vehicle, and it is currently not of interest to police (not lost/stolen, not wanted/no warning markers etc). This vehicle being removed will be the responsibility of the landowner. To contact the Bushy Park authority, email bushy@royalparks.org.uk or call 0300 061 2250 – You may also wish to speak with the local council abandoned vehicles department for further advice: https://www.richmond.gov.uk/report_an_abandoned_vehicle”
The Royal Parks said: “The park teams and police are aware of this. Please could you contact the police for an update as they are looking into it?”
The Council’s abandoned vehicle department said: “It is noted this vehicle is untaxed 1 November 2025, however this vehicle is in very good condition, so it does not meet the Council’s criteria to be considered to be abandoned.”
This grey Mini Cooper convertible, registration number LD61 YXX, has been abandoned since December and is untaxed and has no MOT but the owner is unknown despite the police being able to easily trace the car through the number plate. It was manufactured in 2011.
It has been reported to the police but the Royal Parks police was controversially disbanded back in November leaving routine police patrols to cover any park-related crime.
The diesel-powered car was manufactured in 2011 and has two doors. A discarded coke can and water bottle can be seen inside the car.
