Stranger parked on my driveway and it backfired in my 'trap him in' revenge

Driveways are a luxury that most people look for when deciding on a home. However, some people do not always respect that people may want to leave this driveway and head out of the house.

If you have ever been trapped on your own property due to someone blocking your driveway, it can be the most frustrating thing and you're often powerless to get them to move. Having no care for what other people may need to get done during the day can come across as downright entitled.

One Reddit user shared how they ended up in this exact situation - and how the "rules" were quickly turned around on the problem driver who didn't like the taste of his own medicine.

• Hackney 'shooting' as man killed in Clissold Park and woman raced to hospital
• 'Police officer Bonnie Blue' blasted for lack of 'respect' for racy uniform pics

The person who wrote the post explained how their house has a garage and a driveway, which helps prevent people from parking on the street which is "rather narrow". They claimed that it was so slim that "two cars can't pass each other safely" so "parking on the street is a really bad idea".

This person claims they live next door to a restaurant, with the entrance to the kitchen being very close to their residential driveway. They added that "delivery drivers usually park in the parking area across the street so they won't block traffic" - but that unofficial rule didn't seem to apply one morning.

The Reddit post claims: "I had to leave quite urgently as I was heading to the town hall to pick up some documents. On this day, a delivery driver decided to park his van next to my driveway, just to save walking.

"He didn't block my driveway, but I couldn't exit my property. Backing up to get out wasn't an option either because of the concrete walls. When he came out to pick up the next box, I kindly asked him to move his van.

"He denied and pointed out that he turned on his hazard flasher, as if they were entitling him to park wherever he wanted. He continued delivering and left me kind of annoyed because of this entitlement and stupidity."

Not willing to let this slide, the homeowner decided that they'd cause chaos. The post continued: "I was sitting in my car, still blocking half the street as I couldn't get out. The delivery driver finally finished his job, started his van and wanted to move forward so he wouldn't have to back up.

"He gestured to move away - I could have backed my car two or three metres so he could pass me and do a U-turn further down the street ... but I didn't. I switched off my engine and switched on my hazard flasher."

Using his own entitlement against him seemed to send the delivery driver in a state of fury. The post finished: "After shouting out some profanities, he realised I wouldn't move, so he had to back up like 300 metres while still yelling and ranting profoundly. I was late for picking up my documents, but couldn't stop grinning the whole day.

What can I do if someone blocks my driveway?

The question was put on the Ask the Policewebsite, run by the Police National Legal Database: "Someone has parked their car and it is blocking my driveway. What shall I do?"

The police suggest the initial action is to ask around to see if neighbours recognise the vehicle's owner and arrange its removal, especially if entry to your own driveway is blocked. In certain areas, local councils might also be able to help.

The online guidance added: "In most areas local councils have now taken on responsibility for enforcing parking provisions under what is known as Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE). Under CPE, it's an offence to park a vehicle that blocks a dropped kerb driveway. You can check if your local council has taken on CPE via the link here.

"If your council has taken on CPE, you will usually need to report vehicles that are obstructing a dropped kerb directly to them – you can contact them via the link here."