Wheelclamping practices 'immoral'

Private parking enforcement was "out of control" with "bad and immoral" wheelclamping practices, it added.

The scale and level of punishment meted out by an army of private enforcers was "frightening and often bordering on criminality", the motoring organisation added.

The AA said the lure of uncontrolled money-raking is so great that some companies offer DIY packs, with signs that can be printed off the internet. It added that anyone could now set themselves up as a parking enforcer and "start to cash in". The companies, who use their access to DVLA drivers' records, send out parking tickets on behalf of the DIY enforcers and take a cut of the fines.

The AA's public affairs head Paul Watters said: "Self-regulation is not working as there are too many firms and individuals operating in this often shady area. The trade body members making and enforcing the rules are trying to rein in something that is spiralling out of control.

"Private parking enforcement is big business, generating millions of pounds and no-one notices and acts when the rules are broken. The public have absolutely no protection if a private parking firm acts unfairly - it is a civil matter and no-one is interested in helping. How on earth can people believe that if you appeal to an enforcer you are going to get a fair hearing? The BPA (British Parking Association) will not act as arbiter."

He continued: "It is time for regulation of private enforcement through local authorities who can licence the land where parking is to be controlled. We we need a completely independent appeal system, perhaps through the parking adjudication services which already exist."

Home Office Minister Lord West said: "There are clearly some wheelclamping businesses that indulge in unacceptable behaviour including unclear signage and excessive fees.

"The Government is currently working hard to bring in legislation to prevent abuses by these firms and their employees. Proposals are for the introduction of compulsory licensing for all wheelclamping businesses including those whose practices include excessive fines for releasing clamped cars, towing cars unreasonably quickly after being clamped and putting up hidden, missing or confusing signs warning drivers that clamping takes place.

"Public consultation on these proposals has already ended. The next stage is to draft legislation and we hope to introduce tough new regulations next year."