Clamps for the memory... scourge of motorists is 25 years old

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

But 25 years ago today, Westminster became the first UK borough to use the device against illegally-parked vehicles.

Since then around 12 million vehicles have been clamped, across the UK, as the practice has caught on.

Up until two years ago around 225,000 vehicles were being clamped annually in London.

But now - following fresh guidance from the Department for Transport which called for clamping to be used only as a last resort - the rate at which motorists are immobilised is falling sharply.

Edmund King, AA President, said: "The good news is that clamping at the roadside by councils is declining fast following moves by individual councils including Westminster, and new Department for Transport guidance.

"The bad news is that clamping of motorists by cowboy outfits on private land is rising fast. They are still ripping motorists off left, right and centre."

The wheelclamp was initially known as the 'Denver Boot' after it was invented, in 1953, by a violinist in the US city of the same name.

He was trying to help friends in the local police force who said they felt powerless to act against motorists who parked selfishly or illegally.

Under guidance issued by the Department for Transport in August last year UK councils were urged to adopt a 15-minute "period of grace" for drivers after a meter runs out.

They were also told they "should not seek to make a surplus" through clamping parked cars. The guidance for councils in England and Wales put a priority on winning public support.