Can I contest a fixed penalty because the police officer made a mistake?

First identify the mistake precisely: wrong registration, wrong location, incorrect driver identity, misunderstanding of a traffic sign or another factual issue.

Preserve objective evidence such as dashcam footage, photographs, receipts, telematics or witness details. Contact the Fixed Penalty Processing Centre promptly if the issue appears to be a simple administrative error.

Do not ignore the notice while waiting for a response. If the deadline is approaching and the matter remains disputed, follow the stated procedure for requesting a court hearing so you do not lose the formal way to contest it.

Police fixed penalties and camera notices are not private debts. Read the response deadline carefully, comply with any separate legal requirement to identify the driver, and use the court-hearing route if you genuinely dispute an allegation that cannot be resolved administratively.