Blackpool Council leader Peter Callow says the authority is powerless to stop cars being towed – and says the law must change to control huge charges which can top £250. The resort's MPs have also called for action.

And two women left to hand over big fines in cash and travel to take lifts from men to collect their vehicles say they were left vulnerable and afraid by the actions of car towing firms.

Paula Alexander, 34, of Cromer Road, Bispham, who was charged £275 after parking on land on General Street, Blackpool, said: "These people leave small signage with a mobile number to ring and then expect people to accept a lift with a strange man to pick their car up.

"It may be within the law, but that doesn't make it right."

And Alison Hamer, a 36-year-old charity worker from Darwen, who parked on Bonny Street market, hit out after being forced to pay £250.

She said: "I got back to my car, it was gone and obviously I thought it had been stolen.

"What they do is endangering the safety of people.

"Young women could be left on their own with no car late at night.
"If this is legal then, like the saying goes, 'the law is an ass'."

Both women say they had no idea they were not properly parked.

Legally, private landowners can charge a 'reasonable fee' to remove cars.

Two car towing companies currently operate in Blackpool – London-based CID Security Ltd and Car Park Security Ltd, based in Preston.

Both are part of a steering group headed by Blackpool Council's Trading Standards to ensure firms operate within the law and are registered with regulator the Security Industry Authority (SIA).

And Trading Standards bosses say that there are no pressing concerns that firms are breaking the law.

Blackpool council leader, Peter Callow, believes the practice is a great concern but says the authority is powerless under the law, to do anything about it.

"I don't think there is a solution," he said.

"Unless there is a national limit put on charges, which I would like to see, it's very hard to do anything because there is nothing we can legally do to stop it.

"People are being left stranded though and it can happen to young girls and women late at night which is a big problem. It could also put off visitors which is the last thing we want."

Blackpool North MP Joan Humble said: "I've campaigned for more appropriate signage. People must be made clearly aware they are at risk of being towed."

Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden said: "This is a very complicated area but there are things that can be done to counteract the problem.
"I will certainly make enquiries about this problem in Westminster."

Warren Plant, owner of Car Park Security Ltd, said that the firm was pleased the issue was being brought out into the open.

He said: "There is a lot of misunderstanding about what we do.

"We operate for a lot of companies and corporate clients who need to ensure that people cannot park illegally, for example if car parking spaces have been paid for by customers and every car we tow is reported to the police immediately.

"I'm pleased that these issues are being highlighted because we are an open and honest business."

Lee Simmons, owner of CID Security, added: "We do everything within the law and the charges we levy are standard at a national level.

"Everything we do is done in accordance with SIA regulations and we never target women or take women on their own.

"Clamping is always going to be a mucky word, but it is necessary sometimes."