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17/08/2010
Wheel Clampers Banned On Private Land
Wheel clampers are to be banned from operating on private land in England and Wales, the government has announced.
The announcement will be included in the government's Freedom Bill in November and could come into force by early next year.
The legislation would see more than 2,000 existing clamping licences being revoked and towing away also being outlawed.
Anyone clamping or towing away a vehicle parked on private land would then face being fined or even a jail sentence.
Cars would be able to be removed or immobilised by the police or council in exceptional circumstances, for example, if a car was blocking a road.
Commenting on the proposed legislation, Home Office Minister Lynne Featherstone said: "The government is committed to ending the menace of rogue private sector wheel-clampers once and for all.
"For too long motorists have fallen victim to unscrupulous tactics by many clamping firms. Reports of motorists being marched to cash points or left stranded after their car has been towed are simply unacceptable.
"A ban on clamping and towing on private land will end this abuse and companies who decide to flout new laws will face severe penalties."
Regional and Local Transport Norman Baker said: "The rules governing parking on private land should be proportionate and should not result in motorists being intimidated or forced to pay excessive fines.
"Cowboy clampers have had ample opportunity to mend their ways, but the cases of bullying and extortion persist.
"That is why we are putting an end to these outrageous practices once and for all to ensure that drivers no longer have to fear intimidation from rogue traders, allowing teh parking industry to begin to restore its reputation with the motoring public."
Wheel-clamping on private land has been banned in Scotland for nearly twenty years, but it remains legal in Northern Ireland.
The move has been welcomed by motoring organisations. Professor Stephen Glaister, Director of the RAC Foundation, said: "For too long, unscrupulous clampers have managed to extort money from essentially law-abiding motorists, punishing them for their so-called crimes. At last that is going to stop and there will be many who will breathe a sigh of relief after years of outrageous behaviour.
"But getting rid of clamping is not the end of disputes about parking on private land. Some operators have seen the writing on the wall and are already turning to issuing penalty tickets rather than using clamps and the law needs to recognise this growing form of enforcement. What we need is a fair system that protects motorists and landowners. How hard can it be?"
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. This activity will cease once the ban is in place.
(KMcA/GK)
The announcement will be included in the government's Freedom Bill in November and could come into force by early next year.
The legislation would see more than 2,000 existing clamping licences being revoked and towing away also being outlawed.
Anyone clamping or towing away a vehicle parked on private land would then face being fined or even a jail sentence.
Cars would be able to be removed or immobilised by the police or council in exceptional circumstances, for example, if a car was blocking a road.
Commenting on the proposed legislation, Home Office Minister Lynne Featherstone said: "The government is committed to ending the menace of rogue private sector wheel-clampers once and for all.
"For too long motorists have fallen victim to unscrupulous tactics by many clamping firms. Reports of motorists being marched to cash points or left stranded after their car has been towed are simply unacceptable.
"A ban on clamping and towing on private land will end this abuse and companies who decide to flout new laws will face severe penalties."
Regional and Local Transport Norman Baker said: "The rules governing parking on private land should be proportionate and should not result in motorists being intimidated or forced to pay excessive fines.
"Cowboy clampers have had ample opportunity to mend their ways, but the cases of bullying and extortion persist.
"That is why we are putting an end to these outrageous practices once and for all to ensure that drivers no longer have to fear intimidation from rogue traders, allowing teh parking industry to begin to restore its reputation with the motoring public."
Wheel-clamping on private land has been banned in Scotland for nearly twenty years, but it remains legal in Northern Ireland.
The move has been welcomed by motoring organisations. Professor Stephen Glaister, Director of the RAC Foundation, said: "For too long, unscrupulous clampers have managed to extort money from essentially law-abiding motorists, punishing them for their so-called crimes. At last that is going to stop and there will be many who will breathe a sigh of relief after years of outrageous behaviour.
"But getting rid of clamping is not the end of disputes about parking on private land. Some operators have seen the writing on the wall and are already turning to issuing penalty tickets rather than using clamps and the law needs to recognise this growing form of enforcement. What we need is a fair system that protects motorists and landowners. How hard can it be?"
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. This activity will cease once the ban is in place.
(KMcA/GK)
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03 May 2005
Rogue car clampers face crackdown
Rogue car clampers will find it harder to operate as a new law requiring all clamping companies to be licensed comes into effect. Private clamping firms will now have to acquire a license, through participation in official training schemes, or run the risk of facing a heavy fine or a prison sentence.
Rogue car clampers face crackdown
Rogue car clampers will find it harder to operate as a new law requiring all clamping companies to be licensed comes into effect. Private clamping firms will now have to acquire a license, through participation in official training schemes, or run the risk of facing a heavy fine or a prison sentence.
02 April 2003
Regulatory body for security guards and bouncers launched
In a shake up of the private security industry announced today bouncers and wheel clampers will have to be licensed and regulated by the new Security Industry Authority (SIA). The measures are designed to protect the public from rogue operators and create higher standards of recruitment and training for private security operatives and managers.
Regulatory body for security guards and bouncers launched
In a shake up of the private security industry announced today bouncers and wheel clampers will have to be licensed and regulated by the new Security Industry Authority (SIA). The measures are designed to protect the public from rogue operators and create higher standards of recruitment and training for private security operatives and managers.
01 October 2012
Wheel Clamping Now Illegal
Wheel-clampers will no longer be allowed to clamp vehicles on private land, in a move which could save British motorists £55m a year. New legislation in England and Wales, under the Protection of Freedoms Act, has made it an offence to clamp on private land.
Wheel Clamping Now Illegal
Wheel-clampers will no longer be allowed to clamp vehicles on private land, in a move which could save British motorists £55m a year. New legislation in England and Wales, under the Protection of Freedoms Act, has made it an offence to clamp on private land.
21 August 2009
Parking Enforcement 'Out of Control'
Growing parking enforcement in private car parks and the huge amounts of money being taken from drivers has reached 'epidemic' level, according to the AA. More than one in 10 drivers say they have been issued a private parking ticket over the last year and tens of thousands of people have had their car clamped or removed from private car parks.
Parking Enforcement 'Out of Control'
Growing parking enforcement in private car parks and the huge amounts of money being taken from drivers has reached 'epidemic' level, according to the AA. More than one in 10 drivers say they have been issued a private parking ticket over the last year and tens of thousands of people have had their car clamped or removed from private car parks.
21 February 2012
Clampers Jailed For 8 Years
Five employees of Midland Parking Contracts have received a total of eight years for conspiracy to commit fraud. The clamping company based in Redditch is said to have used the public as "a license to print money", with Judge John Cavell condemning them for "milking" the public out of almost £500,000.
Clampers Jailed For 8 Years
Five employees of Midland Parking Contracts have received a total of eight years for conspiracy to commit fraud. The clamping company based in Redditch is said to have used the public as "a license to print money", with Judge John Cavell condemning them for "milking" the public out of almost £500,000.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Dry with clear skies this evening. Patchy cloud will increase at times overnight, but some clear spells too. Light winds and some patchy shallow mist or fog towards dawn. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
