HE has repeatedly come under fire from angry motorists.

His clamping firm has been branded a “cowboy outfit” and “greedy” by top-level politicians.

Now it seems boss Jason White has responded to these complaints – by putting his prices up.

A new receipt seen by the Daily Echo suggests:
• The release fee has risen from £150 to £180
• The cost of calling out a tow truck has gone up from £250 to £300
• The price to have your car stored in their compound has increased from £35 to £42.

Eastleigh MP and Cabinet minister Chris Huhne said: “Car clamping of this sort amounts to little more than extortion with menaces.

“It is going to be illegal as soon as the current Bill goes through and about time too.

“Far too many local people have been massively inconvenienced by this daylight robbery.”

Binov Jacob, 40, was charged £564 after parking for just a few hours at the notorious Alexander Square, Eastleigh, which has been the site of a furious clamping row with dozens coming forward after being stung by Whites Car Parking Solutions.

He is just the latest motorist to be charged hundreds of pounds for parking there in the past two months.

The firm also charges extra if a motorist has to pay by card and claims it can even levy a £50 rudeness fine if it chooses.

The Lymington dad-of-two said: “It is a massive amount of money. My children were crying and my wife was upset.

“First we thought it had been stolen but then somebody was saying how the clampers have got lots of people in the area.

“I couldn’t believe how much it was. They are just pocketing as much as they can while they can get away with it – cashing in before the law changes.”

He had to borrowthe money from the friend he was visiting, dad-of-two Prasanth Augustine.

The 34-year-old support worker said: “The way I see it these cowboy clampers are looting from residents and their visitors.”

He went on to claim he called the company about 15 times before he was able to get a response and the family had to stay the night because they couldn’t get home.

The Daily Echo contacted Mr White to ask if there had been an increase in the amount his firm’s charges or if there was another reason for this excessive demand but he refused to say.

He said: “What’s it got to do with you?” He then hung up.

The signs up in the road still show the old tariff.

Clampers can sign up to a voluntary code of conduct laid out by the British Parking Association (BPA).

This document recommends charges do not exceed £125 for release, £250 tow charge and £35 storage.

The invoice from Whites in this latest case shows each of its fees is higher than this example of best practice.

Clamping spree fears

POLITICIANS last night spoke out about their concerns over sky high clamping charges.

The controversial issue was first taken to the heart of government by then Communities minister John Denham after a series of Daily Echo stories revealed motorists were being charged more than £400 a time.

Now there are fears that with time running out some firms may be going on a final lucrative clamping spree or bumping prices up even higher.

The Southampton Itchen MP said: “This is a grave concern and it is essential the Government act immediately to stop this. I will be pushing for something to be done at a national level.”

Eastleigh Borough councillor Chris Thomas said: “It is a matter between the residents, the management company and landlords.

“I would like to see them sitting around the table and agreeing to kick these clampers out.

New Forest MP Julian Lewis urged anyone who feels they have been clamped unfairly to alert their local representatives.

All clamped out, soon

IT will soon be the end of the road for rogue clamping which will be outlawed by a new bill.

Currently around 500,000 clampings take place every year on private land – generating £55m from drivers who pay an average release fee off £112.

But the Freedom bill, expected to get royal assent by the end of the year, will stop the firms being able to operate on private land and make it a criminal offence.

Tough punishments are being drawn up for anyone who breaks the law – an unlimited fine in a crown court and up to £5,000 in a Magistrates Court.

Home Office minister Lynne Featherstone said at the time: “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.

“A ban on clamping and towing on private land will end this abuse and companies who decide to flout new laws will face severe penalties.”