Thank you very much, I will ask the friend to get the ball rolling. Will ask him to get the police crime reference number, also contact DVLA, I assume as it is the hire purchase car, the finance company needs to be informed too? As the hire companny is the vehicle owner would they not need to contact dvla?
Also, once they get the crime reference, contact the council with the numberplate pictures (also small writing underneath registration), but I have feeling the council will not be very supportive and this may go all the way to adjudicators?