Hull MP seeks clampdown on clampers

Hull North MP Diana Johnson is to raise the problem of over-zealous clamping by private security firms with ministers at Westminster.

Diana has been receiving information from local people in Hull about their experience of the activities of a private sector security firm following the case last week of Michael Lea, a Hull North constituent. Mr Lea, a resident of Hull North's Princes Avenue, spent two days living in his van after being clamped by Sector Security Ltd - and presented with a £250 cash demand for releasing his van.

This London-based company has been operating at a number of sites in and around Hull. As well as taking up Mr Lea's case, Diana has spoken to a number of local people and traders in Princes Avenue about the problems that clamping has been causing. Diana has raised these concerns in conversations with a representative of Sector Security Ltd, who insisted on remaining anonymous.

The Hull North MP is planning to compile a dossier of case studies where members of the public believe that they have been treated unfairly by private sector clampers, and will be raising the issue with the Home Office.

Diana Johnson MP said: "Since taking up the case of my constituent Michael Lea last week, I have been receiving messages from other local people about their treatment at the hands of over-zealous private clampers.

"There seems to be a pattern of them turning up within a few minutes, clamping vehicles and demanding £250 in cash to release them. I have also seen this for myself.

"Everyone would accept the enforcement of sensible rules on parking on private land and public areas - but this must be done fairly. Otherwise, a legitimate service to the public and property owners can easily become a racket akin to highway robbery.

"In Princes Avenue, the excesses of Sector Security Ltd risks damaging decent local businesses, in the middle of the recession, by driving potential customers away.

"The clamping firm involved in Princes Avenue have told me that they are complying fully with their legal requirements. The fact that they may well be right raises doubts about whether the current licensing regime and the voluntary industry code are adequate.

"There seems to be a strong case for parking enforcement practices by private security firms and local authorities to be regulated in law with a fair and clear set of rules that can be enforced. In Scotland, the use of wheel clamps on private land has been outlawed, as a form of extortion, since 1992. There is no good reason why this ban should not be extended to England.

"I will be raising this matter with the Home Office Minister responsible for this policy area. To help with these discussions, I want to put together a dossier of peoples' experiences of dealing with private clampers. Those wanting to contact me with information should write to me at the House of Commons or e-mail me at johnsond@parliament.uk.

"I would also be happy to pass names collected on local petitions about this issue to Parliament."