A local architect has issued a warning to Acton Residents after he was forced to hand over more than £200 to a clamping company.

When visiting Booker Cash and Carry off the Uxbridge Road, Esmond Reid inadvertently parked on a part of the car park not belonging to Bookers. On his return he found his car was in process of being hoisted by a clamping truck and about to be "towed to Heathrow". The main claimed to be acting for the local authority, demanded £235 to release the car and directed Mr Reid to a nearby cashpoint. Mr Reid had an unbreakable business meeting shortly after and little option but to comply. Next day he found that the company were not authorised and also saw that the small notice on the car park back wall warned that illegal parking could attract a fine of £85.

Clamping firms that operate on private property are currently unregulated, but the Security Industry Authority is due to begin licensing operatives soon. In the meantime, Mr Reid has urged the Metropolitan Police to take action on firms, such as Deadlock Management, saying, "this is a recurring and unpleasant problem in the Borough that is exploiting innocent people. Obtaining money by deception is a criminal offence and the culprit is known".

Trading Standards Officers at Ealing Council suggested that a civil action may be successful in cases like this if the signage was not prominent enough and, even if it is, the charge made is not 'reasonable'.

If money is obtained by clampers by using deception or threats then this would be a criminal offence and the Council suggest reporting it to the police.

The Security Industry Authority is due to start licensing private clamping firms imminently and only licensed firms will be able to do this work, so victims of rogue clampers should inform this organisation are aware of their complaint. Local Authorities have never had the power to license (or ban) clamping firms, but if they gave any indication that they were in any way authorised by the Council, this could be an offence under the Trade Descriptions Act.

It is possible that due to the advent of new regulation existing less reputable clamping firms are intensifying their efforts to levy fines on unsuspecting members of the public.

December 13, 2004