Consultation launched to tighten regulations for wheel clamping businesses

The Home Office has announced a major new consultation into plans to subject rogue wheel clamping businesses to tough new regulations. Wheel clamping by private businesses is an issue that has affected many people in the Bridgend constituency, with some residents paying unreasonably high fees to have clamps removed.

The public consultation is an opportunity for members of the public and all interested groups including wheel clamping businesses and motoring organisations to have their say.

The government's proposals include the introduction of compulsory licensing to tackle the limited number of wheel clamping businesses 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.

Currently, any individual undertaking wheel clamping must hold a frontline licence from the Security Industry Authority (SIA), with supervisors or directors holding a non-frontline licence. The new proposals could also make it mandatory for the business itself to be licensed to help ensure it upholds standards of conduct, which will be enforced if they are not met.

Home Office Minister Alan Campbell, said, 'There are clearly a minority of wheel clamping businesses that indulge in unacceptable behaviour including unclear signage and excessive fees.

'The government intends to take firm action to prevent abuses by some of these firms and their employees.

'This consultation paper is designed to canvass views on a range of options for controls and is a vital step towards putting an end to rogue practices by some clampers.'

The consultation can be downloaded from the Home Office website:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/cons-2009-vehicle-immobilisation/

The RAC Foundation has also put together a paper on this which can be viewed at:
http://www.racfoundation.org/files/CLAMPING%20PAPER%20(Elliott)%20-%20FINAL%20060709.pdf