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Friday, 30th July 2010

War on Blackpool's clampers

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Published Date:
11 March 2010
VICTIMS of car clampers in Blackpool have welcomed a crackdown on the industry.
Under new Government proposals, clear signs will have to be introduced across Blackpool, along with maximum wheel clamp release fees.

People who have had their cars clamped and towed will also to be able to challenge firms if they feel they have been hit with extortionate
fees.

The proposal, an amendment to the Crime and Security Bill, which is passing through Parliament, has been welcomed by Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden and people who have had their cars clamped in the resort and who say firms with high charges are the scourge of the town.

Rosemary Durrant, 57, who had to hand over £275 to get her car back after it was towed away from Charnley Road in Blackpool, said: "If there was an appeal court that would be good, so people could get their money back when they are charged so much.

"It doesn't do the town any good when this happens and it needs highlighting.

"It was very distressing. There was a sign in the window but other cars were covering it up and it was dark so we didn't see it.

"My partner, who was with me, is disabled after having a double cancer operation. There was no way we were going to get our car back unless we paid £275. It was scary."

Mrs Durrant's car was towed away by CID Security on February 27.

But Lee Simmons, owner of the firm, said there was no disabled badge on display and Mrs Durrant had parked in front of warning signs.

He said: "We work to the line. We have signs up – there is one on the wall just above head height and another in a window. Clamping is a dirty word but we work to the rules."

FOR THE FULL STORY SEE THURSDAY'S GAZETTE

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  • Last Updated: 11 March 2010 11:01 AM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Blackpool
 
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1

CheeseWeasel,

11/03/2010 11:11:17
Insufficient. Clamping should be outlawed as it is a form of extortion. The release fee bears no relation to the cost of the "service," and private "fines" are legally unenforceable.
2

shand0161,

north shore 11/03/2010 12:13:44
they drive around north shore in their old batterd tow truck every night looking for pray like vultures iv lost count of the amount of people we have seen in tears on dickson road waiting for to pay over all their cash to these people they demand £275 in cash! NO EXCEPTIONS!
3

The Berkeley,

Queens Promenade 11/03/2010 12:14:57
As a business owner with a car park for guests, I use CID security. Very often throughout the year, a registered guest returns to their allocated parking bay and cannot park, because someone who is staying elsewhere has decided to chance it & ignore the CID signs & the properties own signs allocating each space to each apartment.
I have returned to the building and been unable to park my own car outside my own garage and had to use a Pay & Display car park at Gynn Square, due to people parking on private land.
The barrage of abuse which sometimes follows after a car is removed is unbelievable, people genuinely seem to feel they have the right to park on private land - would they feel the same if on returning home, someone had parked on their driveway?
While the release fees may be high. The question must be asked, with clear signage in place, why do drivers ignore this and chance it?
4

carlos the jackass,

in the van 11/03/2010 13:19:40
as a clamper myself I am very upset by some of these ideas. We are a legal business charging the going rate. Just don't park where you are not supposed to and you wont have a problem.
5

CheeseWeasel,

11/03/2010 13:35:53
There is no need for clamping. You can get the ownership details from the DVLA and send the owner a bill.
So Carlos, what is the going rate for a clamp release? What is the cost of a clamp release? In law the "penalty" has to be proportionate to the loss or it is illegal. This was tested in Scotland where clamping is now illegal. It has not been tested in the UK courts yet and I won't be doing it because I have never been clamped!
Mr Berkeley,
I sympathise, most of the traditional hotels were built in an age when car ownership was relatively rare, so there just are not the parking facilities available today. There are other parking enforcement measures other than clamping, however.
6

John McNicholas .,

Bispham 11/03/2010 14:01:41
High time for this legislation ! Clamping is semi legalised thuggery and extortion worthy of Al Capone and Frank Nitty at their best ! Good Riddance ! " Dont park where your not supposed to and you wont have a problem " ...Signed..Du Management !
7

,

11/03/2010 15:39:25
Comment Reported Unsuitable By User
8

CheeseWeasel,

11/03/2010 15:43:47
Now then Phil, that would constitute criminal damage. If you can remove the clamp without damaging it, that is legally acceptable. The clamper cannot prevent you from doing this and if he physically restrains you that is assault.
9

CheeseWeasel,

11/03/2010 15:45:52
Made a mistake in my post #5. It has not been tested in the courts of England and Wales. Scotland is still a part of the UK for the time being. :o)
10

John McNicholas .,

Bispham 11/03/2010 15:51:10
Thats fine C.W. but how many times have we read of ladies like the one in this article alone with a disabled partner who really doesnt want to "tangle" with a Gorilla in a white van after dark. Methinks they pick their targets. Nice to see the "Denver Boot" being given the Boot ! ! !
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