Clamp Removal - What's The Deal?
Discussion
I park in a council-owned car park for which I buy an annual permit.
Came home yesterday to find the car had been clamped. When I called the private company, they said my permit was not properly displayed.
I then realised the clamp wasn't fitted properly (just looped around the tyre)and I drove away from the clamp.
What's the deal with this?. Can I just say I cam back to the car in the morning and the clamp had disappeared?
I took close-up photos of the clamp to show no damage had been done when I left it.
Appreciate your thoughts on the do's and don'ts.
I have to say it would be fantastic to get one back.
KC
Came home yesterday to find the car had been clamped. When I called the private company, they said my permit was not properly displayed.
I then realised the clamp wasn't fitted properly (just looped around the tyre)and I drove away from the clamp.
What's the deal with this?. Can I just say I cam back to the car in the morning and the clamp had disappeared?
I took close-up photos of the clamp to show no damage had been done when I left it.
Appreciate your thoughts on the do's and don'ts.
I have to say it would be fantastic to get one back.
KC
There was a thread on the gassing section a while back I commented on. Think we all agreed that 'in theory' if the clamp went missing and you 'knew nothing about it' and in fact had no knowledge of even being clamped that the clampers (or clampetts!) would have little come back. I believe a cordless angle grinder with a metal cutting disc was chosen as an useful accessory for such an event (theoretically speaking). Obviously none of us would do such a thing but once again in theory........
Kid Charlemagne said:
I park in a council-owned car park for which I buy an annual permit.
Came home yesterday to find the car had been clamped. When I called the private company, they said my permit was not properly displayed.
I then realised the clamp wasn't fitted properly (just looped around the tyre)and I drove away from the clamp.
What's the deal with this?. Can I just say I cam back to the car in the morning and the clamp had disappeared?
I took close-up photos of the clamp to show no damage had been done when I left it.
Appreciate your thoughts on the do's and don'ts.
I have to say it would be fantastic to get one back.
KC
You have not done anything wrong. It is their fault if they dont clamp you properly. If they want some money from you they can write to you and you can tell them why you are not going to pay . If they issue a County Court summons MAKE SURE YOU ANSWER IT stating the reasons you think you should not pay. They did not clamp you properly so you were able to leave. The clamp is not your responsability so if it is all smashed up and bent the next morning TUFF.The burden of proof lies with them as to how it got damaged you do not have to prove anything.Just to let you know it is possible to damage something AFTER you have photographed it.Came home yesterday to find the car had been clamped. When I called the private company, they said my permit was not properly displayed.
I then realised the clamp wasn't fitted properly (just looped around the tyre)and I drove away from the clamp.
What's the deal with this?. Can I just say I cam back to the car in the morning and the clamp had disappeared?
I took close-up photos of the clamp to show no damage had been done when I left it.
Appreciate your thoughts on the do's and don'ts.
I have to say it would be fantastic to get one back.
KC
richyb said:
There was a thread on the gassing section a while back I commented on. Think we all agreed that 'in theory' if the clamp went missing and you 'knew nothing about it' and in fact had no knowledge of even being clamped that the clampers (or clampetts!) would have little come back. I believe a cordless angle grinder with a metal cutting disc was chosen as an useful accessory for such an event (theoretically speaking). Obviously none of us would do such a thing but once again in theory........
a cordless angle grinder is a bit bulky to carry around(+expensive to buy).how about a good quality metal hacksaw kept with the spare wheel.....I've done this many times in the past following a dispute with the nice chaps who took over parking at a previous work car park.
Each time I jacked the car up, let the tyre down to enable movement of the clamp and removed the wheel. The clamp can then be pulled off the tyre and left by the road.
In the end they left my car alone.
It's only illegal if you damage the clamp.
Each time I jacked the car up, let the tyre down to enable movement of the clamp and removed the wheel. The clamp can then be pulled off the tyre and left by the road.
In the end they left my car alone.
It's only illegal if you damage the clamp.
rfisher said:
I've done this many times in the past following a dispute with the nice chaps who took over parking at a previous work car park.
Each time I jacked the car up, let the tyre down to enable movement of the clamp and removed the wheel. The clamp can then be pulled off the tyre and left by the road.
In the end they left my car alone.
It's only illegal if you damage the clamp.
Brilliant....I shall remember this should the need arise! Each time I jacked the car up, let the tyre down to enable movement of the clamp and removed the wheel. The clamp can then be pulled off the tyre and left by the road.
In the end they left my car alone.
It's only illegal if you damage the clamp.
Just be careful. I have had various dealings with this industry and it's generally run by thugs and a55holes. They will DVLA check your car and find out where you live.
Some have been known to send 'Debt Collectors' to your home address. Debt Collectors have no powers of entry or seizure and dont let them tell you otherwise.
Just a word of warning.
Some have been known to send 'Debt Collectors' to your home address. Debt Collectors have no powers of entry or seizure and dont let them tell you otherwise.
Just a word of warning.
richyb said:
There was a thread on the gassing section a while back I commented on. Think we all agreed that 'in theory' if the clamp went missing and you 'knew nothing about it' and in fact had no knowledge of even being clamped that the clampers (or clampetts!) would have little come back. I believe a cordless angle grinder with a metal cutting disc was chosen as an useful accessory for such an event (theoretically speaking). Obviously none of us would do such a thing but once again in theory........
A kid at my high school did exactly that. Although quite what 17 year olds are doing driving about with angle grinders in the boot is anyone's guess 
Having said that, someone brought a gassed up chain saw (sans chain) in once as part of their Halloween costume. Staff not impressed when he reved it up in the hallway...
rfisher said:
I've done this many times in the past following a dispute with the nice chaps who took over parking at a previous work car park.
Each time I jacked the car up, let the tyre down to enable movement of the clamp and removed the wheel. The clamp can then be pulled off the tyre and left by the road.
In the end they left my car alone.
It's only illegal if you damage the clamp.
Fantastic if you can do that! Both the clamps I've had put on my car included a plate over the wheel nuts. Obviously letting the tyre down allowed you to move it sufficiently out of the way to undo them. I've even got a compressor in that came with my car to re-inflate the tyre. Marvellous! I'll remember that one...ta! :-)Each time I jacked the car up, let the tyre down to enable movement of the clamp and removed the wheel. The clamp can then be pulled off the tyre and left by the road.
In the end they left my car alone.
It's only illegal if you damage the clamp.
I have never been clamped but if I ever was my first thought would be 'how am I gonna get that thing off?'
Does anyone know the likely outcome / police involvement if one was to cut the clamp off? Seems only fair that if they are gonna be evil enough to clamp you in the first place then it's fair game if you cut it off and leave it on the curb side for them to collect at a later date.
Vote Boris this week.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoBoc4kVKrw
Does anyone know the likely outcome / police involvement if one was to cut the clamp off? Seems only fair that if they are gonna be evil enough to clamp you in the first place then it's fair game if you cut it off and leave it on the curb side for them to collect at a later date.
Vote Boris this week.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoBoc4kVKrw
IIRC if it is a private clamping company then the police regard it as being a civil matter,and in the eyes of the law you are liable for the damage to the clamp,or lock,only(which in all probability is a lot cheaper than the clamping fine).Also thats IF the clamping company take you to court and IF they win the action.
Mmmmm, sounds good to me. I was worried that they might report you for criminal damage......
What happened to that lovely chap ( I think he was called angle grinder man) the guy who used to go round london cutting them off? The Captain Gatso of clamps we need more like him
What happened to that lovely chap ( I think he was called angle grinder man) the guy who used to go round london cutting them off? The Captain Gatso of clamps we need more like him
Edited by skymaster on Monday 28th April 14:03
rfisher said:
I've done this many times in the past following a dispute with the nice chaps who took over parking at a previous work car park.
Each time I jacked the car up, let the tyre down to enable movement of the clamp and removed the wheel. The clamp can then be pulled off the tyre and left by the road.
In the end they left my car alone.
It's only illegal if you damage the clamp.
Each time I jacked the car up, let the tyre down to enable movement of the clamp and removed the wheel. The clamp can then be pulled off the tyre and left by the road.
In the end they left my car alone.
It's only illegal if you damage the clamp.
skymaster said:
Does anyone know the likely outcome / police involvement if one was to cut the clamp off? Seems only fair that if they are gonna be evil enough to clamp you in the first place then it's fair game if you cut it off and leave it on the curb side for them to collect at a later date.
One wonders what would happen if someone was to chop it off and then take it away with them...no evidence unless they take photos of you car with a clamp on?I would be careful.A lad at work had his car clamped by private clampers so he went to our office and got a pair of BIG bolt crops to cut of the lock. Whilst he did that the clampers ran off and got the police. The police said that if he cut the lock of they would prosecute him for criminal damage! I thought the police were wrong as you are alowed to use force to retrieve your own property. I can not understand why , after all this time that the law on this clamping has not been clarified.
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