The happy clampers: Guards laugh as they lock up job seeker's car within seconds of it being parked

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Robin Crossman, 26, left his Volkswagen Jetta on an empty Texaco garage forecourt so that he could call in next door to pick up some jobseekers' forms.

But unknown to him he was being watched by two car clampers hidden in an unmarked white van at the back of the petrol station in Trowbridge, Wiltshire.

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Within seconds of his leaving the car they had blocked it in and were fitting a yellow clamp to the front right wheel.

When Mr Crossman emerged only one minute later from the JobCentre, which has no parking of its own, the clampers laughed in his face before demanding a release fee of £130.

Faced with the threat of being towed away, Mr Crossman had little choice but to pay up on the spot.

Later he said: "These people are just muggers in uniforms, bullies abusing their power.

Angry: Robin Crossman has dubbed the clampers 'muggers in uniform'

"I wasn't aware of the rules and I didn't see the signs but they pounced on me anyway. When they got back in the van they were laughing their heads off as if to say 'We got another one'."

Six months ago, Texaco engaged clamping company Able Parking Services to stop drivers parking on a section of the forecourt adjacent to the JobCentre.

The clampers have become infamous in Trowbridge after claiming a string of victims in recent weeks.

Among them was 25-year-old Christie Southall, who pulled on to the garage forecourt after her friend's baby was sick.

She said: "It was daylight robbery."

Able Parking Services insists it is operating legally with a licence.

Spokesman Peter May said: "The petrol station staff have problems getting their tankers on the forecourt because of the JobCentre visitors blocking access.

"This is not a car park for the JobCentre. It is a private property and as soon as you park here you agree to pay the release fee."

The manager of the Texaco petrol station refused to comment.