Government crackdown after Southampton wheelclampers charge extortionate fees

Extortionate fines could be banished while minimum time limits will be introduced before clamping firms can immobilise a vehicle.

Top-level talks to tackle the problem of unscrupulous firms were demanded by skills minister and Southampton MP John Denham after the Daily Echo revealed how clampers were demanding more than £400 off motorists who had parked in the wrong places.

The company, operating in Southampton, also threatened to take an extra £50 rudeness fee if the drivers argued back.

Using his position at the heart of Government, the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills rallied fellow ministers and called for urgent action to be taken against rogue firms.

Now home secretary Jacqui Smith has announced plans to impose tough new regulations on the controversial industry.

Mr Denham said: “After finding out about these cases in the Daily Echo I realised something needed to be done to stop these cowboy companies getting away with dodgy practices such as hiding signs and over-charging people.”

He added that one of the cases that shocked him was the £420 fee slapped on a 27-year-old who had parked at a Northam garage for around an hour to see the second half of a Saints match.

A community support officer also shelled out £450 after leaving her car for 15 minutes to tend to a sick child.

After the police intervened this was knocked down to £275.

Mr Denham said: “On public land you would probably be looking at a £80 fine and you would get half of that off if you paid straight away. I cannot see any possible way the company can justify charging him nearly £500.

“Rogue wheel clampers shouldn’t be able to get away with unacceptable practices in Southampton and I’ll be working with the Government to come down hard against unscrupulous clampers.”

The new scheme will demand firms adhere to tough new rules if they are to get a licence.

This will cover visibility of signs, maximum fines and how long the clampers wait before the immobilising the vehicle and calling a tow truck.

The company will also have to produce evidence the law has been broken, have secure facilities for impounded cars and put an adequate complaint and appeals procedure in place.

The proposals were also backed by Alan Whitehead, Southampton Test MP, who said: “The days of the absolute cowboy wheel clampers may be fading.

“But many constituents still contact me about the rapid removal of vehicles and excessive charging by a small minority of clamping companies, so I am pleased that the Government has agreed to look at these issues in particular.”