Clamping - over £1000 for ringing a bell for delivery

DailyClicker

anewman wrote: »

If this happened to me they'd have the car moving while they clamped it, or be treated to a slam of my door in their face.

They have two types of clamps, one that can be applied very quickly and easily, and one that gets applied afterwards to ensure the vehicle can definitely not move.

The clamp was on by the time the driver of the delivery truck, had got out to ring the doorbell, and by the time he had got back in to drive the van through the open gates

DailyClicker

king100 wrote: »

Civil matter yes, I would suggest that the element of criminal is

"paying under duress"

basacially they are holding a loaded gun to you and saying you need to pay £1000, holding you to ransom.

What is the company called that is clamping?

Has Sainsbury asked them to clamp?


Have you also tried trading standards as well, they might help.

You need to find out as much information as possible.

Also maybe take pictures of their vans and equipment, they dont appreciate that.

They are called CityWatch clamping, and a google search produces multiple Watchdog reports, and people being assaulted etc

I haven't been clamped myself, but my friend had at 10pm when all the business were shut, and nobody was using the parking space, the delivery guy today, and one guy who was doing a three point turn, got blocked in before he could even get out.

I don't know how involved Sainsburys is, but they are saying they are in the process of getting a contract with Sainsburys to clamp against their carpark fence (opposite side to where the delivery guy got clamped)

Any residents/business would not be able to park down this road anymore.

I attempted to take a photo of them/their vehicles, because they took multiple photos of the cars they clamp, but was threatened and told they would smash the camera out of my hand if I take a photo of them.

anewman

DailyClicker wrote: »

Yes, it's like a delivery road for Sainsburys. Quite a small road, one side backs onto the car park fence, and the other side is where the shops/houses are (back entrance to shops)

---8<----

They all have SIA registered badges

If the road adjoins a public one, and has no signage or gates, it cannot be considered private IMO. Also, if it is mapped out on Google maps then it must be a public road. If I own a road and there's no sign saying it's private, or a gate, how would you be expected to know that it's private?!

The fact that *THEY* have SIA registered badges means little if the individual running the company they work for does not have a non-frontline SIA license. Sadly many clamping companies think they can get away with this by considering the clampers as "self-employed", which is not correct as they are still "directed" by the people giving them the money at the end of it. They get away with it because of all the ignorance, arrogance, and inaction that comes along with clamping companies.

maninthestreet

If they are clamping on private land without the permission of the land owner, then they are committing a criminal offence.

pippitypip_2

DailyClicker wrote: »

I attempted to take a photo of them/their vehicles, because they took multiple photos of the cars they clamp, but was threatened and told they would smash the camera out of my hand if I take a photo of them.

I would think this is a police matter - you're being threatened, which IS a criminal matter.

What would be really interesting is if you could get a restraining order on one or more of them, they wouldn't be allowed within xx yards and wouldn't be able to patrol!! LOL

This is ridiculous - could also try reporting to Watchdog as well. Best of luck.

pippitypip

DailyClicker

maninthestreet wrote: »

If they are clamping on private land without the permission of the land owner, then they are committing a criminal offence.

If you are renting land from the land owner, do you have the permission to ask clamping companies to provide this service?

DailyClicker

anewman wrote: »

If the road adjoins a public one, and has no signage or gates, it cannot be considered private IMO. Also, if it is mapped out on Google maps then it must be a public road. If I own a road and there's no sign saying it's private, or a gate, how would you be expected to know that it's private?!

The fact that *THEY* have SIA registered badges means little if the individual running the company they work for does not have a non-frontline SIA license. Sadly many clamping companies think they can get away with this by considering the clampers as "self-employed", which is not correct as they are still "directed" by the people giving them the money at the end of it. They get away with it because of all the ignorance, arrogance, and inaction that comes along with clamping companies.

It does have a Private Road sign, which is used for deliveries/residents.

Sometimes you do get the shoppers from the high street parking round here, which is why I understand that clampers may be required.

I think I'll have to do more research into who owns the road, and speak to all the companies who have asked/been asked whether they want the clampers to patrol their land, because even though I haven't been clamped, I don't like seeing people get asked for £1,000 when they cannot afford it, and the way they threaten and get abusive toward me when I offer people advise like paying under protest/small claims/VISA chargebacks.

maninthestreet

DailyClicker wrote: »

It does have a Private Road sign, which is used for deliveries/residents.

Sometimes you do get the shoppers from the high street parking round here, which is why I understand that clampers may be required.

I think I'll have to do more research into who owns the road, and speak to all the companies who have asked/been asked whether they want the clampers to patrol their land, because even though I haven't been clamped, I don't like seeing people get asked for £1,000 when they cannot afford it, and the way they threaten and get abusive toward me when I offer people advise like paying under protest/small claims/VISA chargebacks.

Each and every time you are threatened by these parasites, you need to report this to the police.

kwaks

Solution is simple.

1 Buy an angle grinder.
2 Wait for clamp to be applied.
3 Call Police to attend immediately
4 Negotiate a release fee of your own with driver (£40 max should cover it)
5 Remove padlock from clamp with grinder, in full view of the police.
6 Offer the clamper £40 compensation for his padlock( if you feel nice)

Remember, they are charging a release fee, therefor if they do not do the releasing then they cannot charge.

As the Police have stated (wrongly in fact) it is a civil matter so they can stand by to ensure you are not hampered by the actions of the clampers in your new vocation as a clamp remover. (only clampers need be registered, not removers, also get someone to film this (added bonus points for a third person to clamp the clampers whilst distracted.)

System

It is also worth getting the owners/tenants of the buildings bordering this road to check their deeds to see if they have any rights/easements.