Clampers Still Crooks After Law Changes

Most drivers want to see wheel clamping outlawed on private land says a new motor insurance survey.

Ninety four per cent of drivers in England and Wales think that the rest of the UK should follow the example of Scottish authorities that have made it illegal.

The result comes despite legislation passed six months ago which was supposed to address the problem of clampers bad behaviour by forcing them to register with the Security Industry Authority (SIA), obtain training and pass a criminal record check.

Motor insurance industry research has warned that many clampers have been ignoring the new rules, however.

Researchers have uncovered examples of unregulated clampers taking a car from outside a man's flat, charging over £500 in fees months after the new rules where brought in and clamping a car while the driver was trying to find his parking permit.

Other infractions include telling a motorist to park his car in a specific area and then clamping it, clampers taking bribes and refusing to provide receipts and a licensed clamper who had a string of convictions, including cutting off fingers with a machete.

When the motor insurance industry brought the practices to the attention of the home office, it replied that the SIA had found no evidence of illegal activity, though it conceded some unprofessional practices had been carried out.

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