Revenge on the clampers
Discussion
Today was one of the most enjoyable days I have had at work in ages. One of the officers from CID had an unmarked car clamped by unscrupulous clampers in a private car park, where he was parked on enquiries. They refused to unclamp it unless the £100 was paid. Which would become £350 if they towed the car.
I attended with another Inspector, and advised that the clamp would be removed, the only choice they had was whether they were arrested or not for Obstructing Police. Soon a crowd gathered. Tales abound of the clampers clamping OAPs visiting nearby car delaers at weekends when the commercial car park they worked for was empty. Stories of physical threats and intimidation. I can say hand on heart the signs were not clear.
We made it quite clear, we'd pay the £100 by cheque following receipt of an invoice, we weren't trying to avoid paying, but the car must be released immediately. So they did.
Most unfortunately, the clampers van was in a rather poor condition. One tyre was illegal. Clamper has his wallet lightened by £60 and his licence burdened by 3 points.
And thats not all. I'll be prosecuting the clamping owner for using the vehicle with a defective tyre, and for not registering the vehicle to them. And would you credit it, they don't appear to be registered with the Security Industry Authority either. They've got until 3rd May to register and I know they won't have time. So on th 4th of May, if they are still carrying out their practices on my patch, I'll be prosecuting the Clampers for SIA offences and I'll be prosecting the companies for employing them.
And that is just the start. As they say, revenge is is a dish best served cold.
I attended with another Inspector, and advised that the clamp would be removed, the only choice they had was whether they were arrested or not for Obstructing Police. Soon a crowd gathered. Tales abound of the clampers clamping OAPs visiting nearby car delaers at weekends when the commercial car park they worked for was empty. Stories of physical threats and intimidation. I can say hand on heart the signs were not clear.
We made it quite clear, we'd pay the £100 by cheque following receipt of an invoice, we weren't trying to avoid paying, but the car must be released immediately. So they did.
Most unfortunately, the clampers van was in a rather poor condition. One tyre was illegal. Clamper has his wallet lightened by £60 and his licence burdened by 3 points.
And thats not all. I'll be prosecuting the clamping owner for using the vehicle with a defective tyre, and for not registering the vehicle to them. And would you credit it, they don't appear to be registered with the Security Industry Authority either. They've got until 3rd May to register and I know they won't have time. So on th 4th of May, if they are still carrying out their practices on my patch, I'll be prosecuting the Clampers for SIA offences and I'll be prosecting the companies for employing them.
And that is just the start. As they say, revenge is is a dish best served cold.
Did I mention I'm ex-Customs & Excise? The local VAT Inspectors will also be paying them a visit, what with their "We can't take cards our machine is broken, we want cash." I turn up, phone their office and they have no knowledge of broken card machine! Fancy that! Time for the tooth combs to be flexed I feel.
I sincerely hope their accounts are as sharp as their operating practices. It takes a hell of a lot to piss me off, but when someone does.....
I sincerely hope their accounts are as sharp as their operating practices. It takes a hell of a lot to piss me off, but when someone does.....
Update: another most gratifying day.
I hear what tony.t says. It is certainly true that I have acted by virtue of a Police vehicle being clamped, but knowing what I know now, I would have taken the same action regardless. Having made enquiries with local businesses I was told many tales about this clamping operation. Here is one example:
Clamper approaches lady aged 70+ and tells her she can't park where she has. She explained she was waiting for her husband, who has difficulty walking. They tell her to go and find her husband as the car has to be moved. Whilst she walks to find her husband, in the 3 minutes she is gone, they clamp her car, and demand £100 from her. That is the kind of outfit I have spent some Police time pursuing, and I feel it a very worthwhile use of some Police time, given the amount of time we waste dealing with similar dregs of society.
I can't give an entire update as there may now be prosecutions in the pipeline from other agencies, but suffice to say this outfit will be getting it with bells on from 360 degrees in the coming weeks. The VAT man, the SIA, the local authority, the letting agents, the list is growing. I think its what we call a "multi-agency approach."
Strangely, they were nowhere to be seen today. And I intend to make sure it stays that way.
I hear what tony.t says. It is certainly true that I have acted by virtue of a Police vehicle being clamped, but knowing what I know now, I would have taken the same action regardless. Having made enquiries with local businesses I was told many tales about this clamping operation. Here is one example:
Clamper approaches lady aged 70+ and tells her she can't park where she has. She explained she was waiting for her husband, who has difficulty walking. They tell her to go and find her husband as the car has to be moved. Whilst she walks to find her husband, in the 3 minutes she is gone, they clamp her car, and demand £100 from her. That is the kind of outfit I have spent some Police time pursuing, and I feel it a very worthwhile use of some Police time, given the amount of time we waste dealing with similar dregs of society.
I can't give an entire update as there may now be prosecutions in the pipeline from other agencies, but suffice to say this outfit will be getting it with bells on from 360 degrees in the coming weeks. The VAT man, the SIA, the local authority, the letting agents, the list is growing. I think its what we call a "multi-agency approach."
Strangely, they were nowhere to be seen today. And I intend to make sure it stays that way.
A little update. The management company who empolyed this shower have written to me to advise that no clamping is to take place on this site past the 3rd May until they have proof that the operatives are registered with the SIA. Which they won't be.
I think my next step will be to find out where else in my force they have any clamping contracts and make sure they can't rob people there either.
I think my next step will be to find out where else in my force they have any clamping contracts and make sure they can't rob people there either.
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