bassethound
10-02-11, 21:31
A group of taxi drivers took revenge on a clamping company after one of its operators tried to extract a fine from a cab dispatcher.
Maureen Lansley's car was clamped and blocked by a clamper van, even though she had a parking permit. The clampers demanded that she paid a fine on the spot.
When Maureen, 53, phoned work to say that she'd be late and told them why, a convoy of taxis immediately rushed to the scene to help her.
Within minutes, over 20 taxis had formed a roadblock that prevented the clampers from going anywhere.
The police were called when the taxi drivers refused to shift until the clamp was removed. Riot vans arrived but the standoff continued until, after nine hours, Maureen's boss agreed to pay the £80 fine.
However, the actions of the cabbies meant Maureen escaped an additional £150 towing charge.
The clamp had been put on her car because she failed to display her permit, according to the clampers, but Maureen said that the permit was, in fact, on display, and had simply slipped behind the tax disc.
The remarkable incident highlights the anger many motorists feel towards private clamping firms. However, new Government legislation due to be announced this week could see rogue clampers go to jail.
Under new proposals due to come into effect in 2012, clamping on private land will become a criminal offence. Those caught will be hit with a £5,000 fine, which, if unpaid, could turn into a prison sentence.
The laws will also see fines made illegal, to prevent clampers simply switching tactics by handing out huge fines for 'illegal' parking.
More than half a million drivers are clamped on private land every year. Speaking to 'The Sun', Home Office Minister Lynne Featherstone said: "I have been outraged by cases of drivers being frog-marched to cash points late at night or left stranded by rogue operators. This Government is committing rogue clampers to history and putting an end to intimidation and excessive charges once and for all."
Maureen Lansley's car was clamped and blocked by a clamper van, even though she had a parking permit. The clampers demanded that she paid a fine on the spot.
When Maureen, 53, phoned work to say that she'd be late and told them why, a convoy of taxis immediately rushed to the scene to help her.
Within minutes, over 20 taxis had formed a roadblock that prevented the clampers from going anywhere.
The police were called when the taxi drivers refused to shift until the clamp was removed. Riot vans arrived but the standoff continued until, after nine hours, Maureen's boss agreed to pay the £80 fine.
However, the actions of the cabbies meant Maureen escaped an additional £150 towing charge.
The clamp had been put on her car because she failed to display her permit, according to the clampers, but Maureen said that the permit was, in fact, on display, and had simply slipped behind the tax disc.
The remarkable incident highlights the anger many motorists feel towards private clamping firms. However, new Government legislation due to be announced this week could see rogue clampers go to jail.
Under new proposals due to come into effect in 2012, clamping on private land will become a criminal offence. Those caught will be hit with a £5,000 fine, which, if unpaid, could turn into a prison sentence.
The laws will also see fines made illegal, to prevent clampers simply switching tactics by handing out huge fines for 'illegal' parking.
More than half a million drivers are clamped on private land every year. Speaking to 'The Sun', Home Office Minister Lynne Featherstone said: "I have been outraged by cases of drivers being frog-marched to cash points late at night or left stranded by rogue operators. This Government is committing rogue clampers to history and putting an end to intimidation and excessive charges once and for all."