Today was one of the most enjoyable days I have had at work in ages. One of the officers from CID had an unmarked car clamped by unscrupulous clampers in a private car park, where he was parked on enquiries. They refused to unclamp it unless the \ufffd100 was paid. Which would become \ufffd350 if they towed the car.

I attended with another Inspector, and advised that the clamp would be removed, the only choice they had was whether they were arrested or not for Obstructing Police. Soon a crowd gathered. Tales abound of the clampers clamping OAPs visiting nearby car delaers at weekends when the commercial car park they worked for was empty. Stories of physical threats and intimidation. I can say hand on heart the signs were not clear.

We made it quite clear, we'd pay the \ufffd100 by cheque following receipt of an invoice, we weren't trying to avoid paying, but the car must be released immediately. So they did.

Most unfortunately, the clampers van was in a rather poor condition. One tyre was illegal. Clamper has his wallet lightened by \ufffd60 and his licence burdened by 3 points.

And thats not all. I'll be prosecuting the clamping owner for using the vehicle with a defective tyre, and for not registering the vehicle to them. And would you credit it, they don't appear to be registered with the Security Industry Authority either. They've got until 3rd May to register and I know they won't have time. So on th 4th of May, if they are still carrying out their practices on my patch, I'll be prosecuting the Clampers for SIA offences and I'll be prosecting the companies for employing them.

And that is just the start. As they say, revenge is is a dish best served cold.

Did I mention I'm ex-Customs & Excise? The local VAT Inspectors will also be paying them a visit, what with their "We can't take cards our machine is broken, we want cash." I turn up, phone their office and they have no knowledge of broken card machine! Fancy that! Time for the tooth combs to be flexed I feel.

I sincerely hope their accounts are as sharp as their operating practices. It takes a hell of a lot to piss me off, but when someone does...

Clamper approaches lady aged 70+ and tells her she can't park where she has. She explained she was waiting for her husband, who has difficulty walking. They tell her to go and find her husband as the car has to be moved. Whilst she walks to find her husband, in the 3 minutes she is gone, they clamp her car, and demand \ufffd100 from her. That is the kind of outfit I have spent some Police time pursuing, and I feel it a very worthwhile use of some Police time, given the amount of time we waste dealing with similar dregs of society.

I can't give an entire update as there may now be prosecutions in the pipeline from other agencies, but suffice to say this outfit will be getting it with bells on from 360 degrees in the coming weeks. The VAT man, the SIA, the local authority, the letting agents, the list is growing. I think its what we call a "multi-agency approach".