Driver tells of £680 charge by clampers

A driver was surrounded by six car clampers who threatened to tow his car away with him inside it unless he paid £680, MPs have been told.

Sedgley man Adam Pearson says he was hit with the charge after parking for just 10 minutes in Tower Street, Dudley.

His case was one of many higlighted to a senior MP probing the activities of car clampers across the country.

Mr Pearson said he spotted the clamping company staff as he pulled up.

But after speaking with them he as assured that he was allowed to park there so left his vehicle.

But he returned to find his vehicle clamped and when he protested, six men surrounded his car, even threatening to tow it away with him inside it.

Also among the victims was Upper Gornal pensioner Pam Houghton, who parked in the same spot in Tower Street for just five minutes but was still clamped.

"I was only there for a few minutes and it cost me £150," she said.

Motorist Nikki Oliver was also asked to pay up.

They met with Leicester MP Keith Vaz, who will use his role as chairman of the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee to order an official enquiry after he was invited to the town by Dudley North MP Ian Austin to hear first-hand the tales of woe.

Speaking after the summit at Dudley Council House yesterday, Mr Vaz said: "What I have heard here has convinced me that we need a national enquiry to tackle this out-of-control industry. Let's clamp the clampers."

The news was welcomed by Dudley North MP Mr Austin, who has been campaigning for action. He said: "The way clamping companies operate is a disgrace.

"I have been appalled by some of the stories and it was clear that Keith felt the same when hearing these peoples stories face to face.

"One gentleman was charged over £600 to release his car. Residents have been intimidated and the prices charged are extortionate.

"The system is almost totally unregulated. Companies can clamp cars load them onto trucks and charge what they like.

"We need to look at this whole area again."