Clamp the cowboys

A major new consultation has begun into plans to subject rogue wheel clamping businesses to tough new regulations, today. This was welcomed by the AA.

The AA said that it is a great relief that at last the Government has come forward with further regulation proposals to clamp down on clampers. “Licensing in 2005 was a step in the right direction but was only a step - licensing in fact became a ‘license to print money’ attitude on the part of some clampers” said AA President Edmund King.

“Some ever resourceful rogue clampers often tacked on spurious charges, even having the audacity to impose extra ones for calling the police or swearing and now it is almost common place for clampers to charge a clamping release fee and removal charge taking the cost to almost £400 even if a tow away never takes place”.

“It is time for strict regulation on what clampers can and cannot do and this must be within a code which works for car park operators and drivers – many parking offences are minor in nature and don’t deserve such draconian punishment”.

“We shall work with the Home Office and SIA to ensure the new regulations have teeth and crucially that there is independent scrutiny of this burgeoning industry and a proper, truly unbiased, appeals process”.

The Government's proposals include the introduction of compulsory licensing to tackle the limited number of wheel clamping businesses whose practices include excessive fines for releasing clamped cars, towing cars unreasonably quickly after being clamped and putting up hidden, missing or
confusing signs warning drivers that clamping takes place.

Currently, any individual undertaking wheel clamping must hold a frontline licence from the Security Industry Authority (SIA), with supervisors or directors holding a non-frontline licence. The new proposals could also make it mandatory for the business itself to be licensed to help ensure it upholds standards of conduct, which will be enforced if they are not met.

King added,” If this new regulation does not work then clamping on private land should be outlawed as it was in Scotland in 1992.”