Call to curb 'cowboy wheelclampers'

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Of 100 MPs surveyed, 17% wanted clamping on private land to be illegal and 69% wanted clamping to be more tightly regulated.

Just 12% of the MPs were happy to see no change to the rules while 2% wanted to see regulations changed so that anyone could clamp.

The results came ahead of an expected Government announcement this week about wheelclamping.

AA president Edmund King said: "The results show there is cross-party support to either further regulate the cowboy clampers or to outlaw them.

"A court case in Scotland in 1992 ruled that wheel clamping on private land was 'extortion and theft' yet many clampers in England and Wales appear to extort and steal on a regular basis. If the regulations cannot be toughened we will look to find an MP to introduce a Private Members Bill to outlaw clamping."

He went on: "People should park according to the rules but when they get it wrong they should not be robbed by clampers who make up their own charges.

"We are also concerned at the growing practice of parking enforcers, often unable to acquire a clamping licence, who take registration numbers, obtain home address details from the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) and then send out 'penalty notices' and threatening letters to the drivers.

"The Government also needs to stop this dangerous tactic.

"The AA is looking to expand its dossier of clamping cases to take to the Government and encourages drivers to relate their experiences at www.theAA.com/zone."