Wheel clamping ban will affect shopping centres
Published: 17 August, 2010
The government has announced that wheel clamping on private land – including shopping centre car parks - will be banned in England and Wales.
The ban will be introduced in the Government’s Freedom Bill in November and will come into action shortly afterwards.
Once in place, anyone found clamping or towing away vehicles on private land will face “severe penalties”, including possible fines or even jail sentences.
Home Office minister Lynne Featherstone, said: “The government is committed to ending the menace of rogue private sector wheel-clampers once and for all.
“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.”
Regional and local transport minister, Norman Baker, added: “The rules governing parking on private land should be proportionate and should not result in motorists being intimidated or forced to pay excessive fines.
“Cowboy clampers have had ample opportunity to mend their ways but the cases of bullying and extortion persist. That is why we are putting an end to these outrageous practices once and for all to ensure that drivers no longer have to fear intimidation from rogue traders, allowing the parking industry to begin to restore its reputation with the motoring public.”
Police and councils will be allowed to immobilise or remove vehicles but only in exceptional circumstances.
Wheel clamping has been banned in Scotland since 1991. It will remain legal in Northern Ireland.
