Disposal of contents and personal effects
18.—(1) Where the authorised person is of the opinion that the condition of contents detained by virtue of regulation 3, or personal effects that remained on a vehicle so detained, (and which it has not been possible to return to the person entitled to their return), is such that they must be disposed of without delay, those contents or personal effects may be disposed of by the authorised person or the nominated custodian without the authorised person first complying with the requirements prescribed in regulation 9.
(2) Subject to paragraph (3), where such contents or personal effects are not disposed of in accordance with paragraph (1) and—
(a)one or more persons has given written notice in accordance with regulation 17(2), but no person has established that they are entitled to the return of the property, or
(b)no written notice has been given in accordance with regulation 17(2),
the nominated custodian may sell or destroy the contents or personal effects.
(3) The nominated custodian may not sell or destroy contents or personal effects in accordance with paragraph (2) unless—
(a)the nominated custodian has the permission of the authorised person;
(b)the authorised person has complied with the requirements prescribed in regulation 9; and
(c)the date specified by virtue of regulation 9(4)(c) has passed.