Drivers who use a Mitcham street as a second-hand car forecourt could see their vehicles crushed in a council crackdown.

Merton Council has finally promised to take action against the owners of dozens of cars dumped in Streatham Road with for sale signs in their windows - which have left frustrated residents unable to park outside their own homes.

Households have been pleading with the council and Merton police to tackle the problem for more than a year. The authorities had said the owners were not breaking the law, as their sales method was only illegal if the cars were untaxed or being sold through a business.

But in February council officers announced they were sure cars were “systematically” being parked in the street on behalf of sellers - and warned they would now crush offending vehicles. Officers are leaving stickers on the cars, demanding owners remove them or face a £2,500 fine.

Ramain Delisle is just one resident who contacted the Wimbledon Guardian about the problem.

He said the cars were obviously being sold through a business - but at the time the council said it was unable to take action.

Last week the council’s cabinet member for environment and leisure services, Councillor David Simpson, said: “We have listened to residents’ concerns about the increasing number of cars marked for sale which unscrupulous people are parking on our streets.

“These cars are taking away residents’ legitimate parking spaces and are creating eyesores around the borough. Parking cars for sale on the public highway is illegal and, if necessary, we will punish those who insist on continuing to commit this offence.”