Several vehicles with no registered keeper were later crushed after enforcement notices slapped on windscreens to remove them were ignored.
The enforcement squad at Redbridge Council was first alerted by neighbours about vehicles blocking access to their garages and back gardens around Wycombe Road and Ethelbert Gardens.
Several that were causing obstructions were found to have been fitted with false registration plates and had no evidence of insurance, road tax or MoT test certificates.
This aroused suspicions by the council about being traded unlawfully on the street.
“We will use our full powers when dealing with illegal vehicles and unlawful trading,” Redbridge Council’s cabinet member for enforcement Khayer Chowdhury said.
“Our street enforcement team’s investigation shows the commitment for action and results.
“We will leave no stone unturned to take action where needed. We have zero tolerance for those engaging in antisocial behaviour.”
Complaints were received from households over “a spate of nuisance vehicles” in Gants Hill.
An investigation was started which involved the police and agencies including the DVLA vehicle registration authority and several car trading websites.
This led to enforcement notices being issued demanding the vehicles to be removed within 15 days — but this got no response.
The notices had been slapped on windscreens, sometimes more than once, leading to six vehicles in the end being seized and later crushed.
