Wheelclamping up 64 per cent in a year

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New figures have revealed that the number of motorists falling victim to wheelclamping has risen by 64 per cent in the last year.

Statistics from LV= showed that private firms raked in 58 million pounds from clamping last year, while local councils were making a profit of 21 million pounds.

Of the motorists questioned 4 per cent stated that their vehicle had been damaged at the hands of clampers.

Almost one in six drivers said there was little or no warning on show to indicate they were parking in a private space, while 17 per cent thought they weren’t parked in an illegal space when clamped.

Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, said the latest figures underline the scale of the problem.

"In many cases drivers are suffering grossly unfair and disproportionate penalties for what are, at worst, minor parking indiscretions."

He went to to say that MPs from all parties have set out plans for how they would regulate the law-less industry, but are yet to put their plans into action.

"At the very least, motorists deserve an independent appeals service and some binding code of conduct which clampers have to stick to," he added.

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