New Clamp On The Cowboys

Drivers held to ransom by cowboy clampers are about to get their revenge. Councillors in Birmingham plan to use new anti-social behaviour laws to thwart offenders.

Auto Express Car Reviews

27th August 2004

Clampers have enjoyed virtual immunity from prosecution because of loopholes in the law, and Auto Express first exposed the practices of rogue operators more than a decade ago. What's more, we presented one outfit with the 'Dick Turpin Award for Highway Robbery' in November last year (Issue 783).

Many operators charge motorists extortionate 'fines' before agreeing to remove the clamp. But council bosses in the UK's second city now plan to use the Government's new legislation to put the worst offenders out of business. A telephone hotline (0121 464 2005) has been set up which allows any driver who believes they have been a victim of anti-social behaviour to report the clamper concerned.

The deputy leader of Birmingham City Council, John Hemming, told us: "We have received a number of complaints about anti-social acts by a few unscrupulous wheel clampers in the city, but until these firms are required to be licensed, we cannot take any action. This is why we will try other legal remedies such as anti-social behaviour orders to tackle the problem head-on."