Shoal Enforcement PPC

bromsgrovebarry

The HA have made a very bad mistake and could face serious legal consequences. I wonder if Shoal offered any incentives to the HA to set up this scam?

trisontana

Shoal, of course, are the company that clamped a couple of police cars, and were also featured in the Sunday Times where very serious allegations were made against the company. That might be the reason why they lost their BPA membership.

News stories here:-

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-13575380

http://mikiverselaw.blogspot.com/2011/09/insight-insider-exposes-how-clampers.html

Coupon-mad

Very_worried_mum wrote: »

Both the HA and Shoal sent letters, but in neither letter did they state that residents would need new permits as the rules around the permits would now be changing. Instead the letters, as I quoted previously, made it appear that nothing had changed and the rules were the same as always.

I have tonight emailed the chief executive of our HA with copies of both Shoals and the HA's letters, drawing to his attention the fact that neither organisation made it clear what new changes were coming into place and to ask for his intervention in the matter.

I just hope he is back from the Christmas break as it will soon be January

I have also brought to his attention that Shoal enforcement's membership of the BPA has expired - as they make a strong statement of Shoal being accredited by the BPA in the HA's letter regarding the car parking.

You have done the right thing so far but you must get pepipoo forum advice, it's free and there are experts there who can help you:

http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showforum=60

Start a new thread there asap. Include pics of the 2 letters (with your ID details covered) and the fake parking ticket as well, with the car reg and 'ticket number' and location covered. You can put photos straight on a new thread on pepipoo as soon as you are cleared to post.

You need to make it very clear to the Housing Association that the threat to clamp for not paying an 'alleged debt' (which you do not owe) is unlawful. And that if it happens you will hold the HA jointly and severally liable for the action of their agent.

Whatever the HA say, Shoal ARE their agent in law and a Small Claim judge would probably agree. See this link:

http://www.appealnow.com/Privately-Clamped-Driver-Wins-Landmark-Court-Decision/

So get pepipoo help to insist that the HA stop this threat right now. Just because a clamping firm have signs up does not mean they can clamp for non-payment of a debt, and if they withhold a new permit so as to trick people and clamp cars after 13th January then that's unlawful as well.

Does you flat lease allow you to park a car there and have peaceful enjoyment of your land? Then THEY are trespassing against your car.

But the bottom line is - I would be asking why on earth there is even a permit scheme there at all and why on earth the HA are still allowing Shoal to be there since they were chucked out of the BPA?

Longterm I think those are the Qs you need to be asking' I would not want to still live under the threat of being clamped by that firm, all it would take would be for them to shake your car to dislidge any new permit next month, or the month after that...

Coupon-mad

By the way, I do wonder whether Shoal might be Company number 3 mentioned by the DVLA in this FOI request by NevMetson (a poster here):

FOI number 2646

''Company 3 – awarded 20 sanction points and subsequently expelled from the AOS. The points were awarded cumulatively for the non-submission of documentation and a number of breaches of the BPA code of practice following complaints made by motorists.''

Certainly they are no longer in the AOS (approved operator scheme) so cannot get access to registered keepers' details any more. Hence their behaviour right now will favour intimidation and clamping until clamping is banned, since they cannot follow up fake PCNs unless people respond 'helpfully' giving them the driver's details.

Very_worried_mum

robredz wrote: »

Scan and copy the letter from Shoal to the Housing Manager, and the CEO of the Housing Association, point out that they are jointly and severally liable for any consequential losses springing from clamping or vehicle removal by Shoal for their unlawful penalty invoice. Also it would be a good thing if you could canvass other affected residents, and show a group residents displeasure at Shoal and their muppetry, which is compounded by the HA and it's failure to grasp the fact Shoal are cowboy scammers.

Thanks for your reply.

I scanned the letters and emailed them to both the CEO of the HA and the area manager. The CEO has acknowledged receipt and will contact me by 18 January with an answer.

I sought the advice of my local police service and they have said that since I am not displaying the correct permit that they can clamp my car . So I've decided to park elsewhere until this all blows over. I'm gutted!!!

jkdd77

If they did clamp the OP in her own space over alleged past debts, it is my opinion, given the criminal nature (aggressive commercial practice) of any such clamping, and given Shoal's track record of ignoring CCJs, that she would have a 'lawful excuse' for cutting off the trespassing wheelclamp.

Very_worried_mum

trisontana wrote: »

Shoal, of course, are the company that clamped a couple of police cars, and were also featured in the Sunday Times where very serious allegations were made against the company. That might be the reason why they lost their BPA membership.

Thank you so much for these two links. I've forwarded the links to the CEO and I am also going to print them off and post through everyone's letterbox.

Trebor16

Very_worried_mum wrote: »

I sought the advice of my local police service and they have said that since I am not displaying the correct permit that they can clamp my car . So I've decided to park elsewhere until this all blows over. I'm gutted!!!

That is crap advice. They have written to you and said display the correct permit, but they have not told you the permit has changed. You have the letter that proves that. If they clamp you then they are not acting legally (in my opinion) and you would have every right to remove the clamp.

bromsgrovebarry

In all matters relating to clamping and PPC scammers, 'advice' from plod and CAB should be taken with a lorryful of salt.

Very_worried_mum

bromsgrovebarry wrote: »

In all matters relating to clamping and PPC scammers, 'advice' from plod and CAB should be taken with a lorryful of salt.

Has anyone ever won against Shoal?