Cowboy clampers to be banned

The menace of cowboy clampers is set to end as the Government announced today that wheel clamping on private land will be banned in England and Wales.

New measures Labour were to bring in regulating the clamping industry have now been ditched in favour of a full ban.

Those flouting the new law will face ‘severe penalties’ promised Home Office Minister Lynne Featherstone.

She 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.”

Wheel clampers currently must hold a frontline licence from the Security Industry Authority (SIA) to clamp or tow away vehicles on private land for a fine.

There are 2,150 people currently licensed by SIA to clamp and fine, but this will cease to happen once the full ban is in place.

The ban will form part of the Government’s Freedom Bill in November and is expected to come into force early next year.

Once in place, anyone who clamps a vehicle or tows it away on private land will face criminal and even civil proceedings.

Regional and Local Transport Minister 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.”

The ban will only apply to privately owned land and will not affect local traffic enforcement by councils.

The DVLA will also be continuing to clamp or tow away untaxed vehicles as will the Vehicle and Operator Services Authority who have powers to stop unroadworthy vvehicles from using the road.