Wheel clamping charges ‘are illegal’
Private clamping companies may be acting illegally by charging motorists for the release of their vehicles, it has been suggested.
Published today by the RAC Foundation, Dr Chris Elliott’s review of the law relating to parking on private property argued that clamping is used too often to punish motorists and that the concept of one citizen punishing another is not sanctioned by English law.
"The Home Office is proposing a new licensing regime for private clampers, but it is arguable that if the release fee is unreasonable, their actions are incompatible with the Human Rights Act 1998," he explained.
Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC, said the foundation would like to see the issues raised by Dr Elliott tested in British Courts.
According to figures published by the RAC earlier this year, more than 1.2 million motorists have already been clamped on private land to date.
This whole subject is a little rediculous. The law needs to be clarified and those firms who break the law should be held accountable.