The number of UK drivers being clamped is undergoing a dramatic surge says LV= car insurance, with London being the hardest hit.

It appears that the lack of available parking is the main problem and private clampers have been quick to exploit the situation, with a 64% rise in the number of drivers being clamped in the last year.

Local authority clamps cost around £116 to remove and private clampers charge a bit extra at £120, although the legality of private clamping companies is still under dispute.

But whereas the local authorities added £21 million to their coffers from clamping fees over the last 12 months, the privateers collected a whopping £58 million. This figure will do little to quell the unease felt by many about the legal status of the private firms who are generally unregulated, meaning that motorists have no official route of complaint, or to get money back in the event of being unfairly clamped.

Currently, drivers who think they have been unfairly clamped by a private firm and want to complain, should send a letter via recorded delivery including relevant photography of the clamped vehicle and localised area.

With the millions involved, it’s perhaps no wonder that the rise in clamping by private firms has been particularly dramatic over the last 12 months, increasing from 292,023 incidences to 486,705 incidences, year on year.

And when asked about why people were caught in private land by the privateers, LV= says that its comes down to a lack of car parking space which for many forces them onto private land which make them vulnerable to private clamping firms and their alledged dodgy tactics.

What’s most disturbing is the amount of drivers who were clamped, despite them thinking they were perfectly entitled to park in a certain spot. Drivers also complained that once they had paid the fine, their vehicle was not immediately released and they often suffered abuse from the private clamping firm operatives.

John O’Roarke, managing director of LV= car insurance, said:
“What we’re seeing is a huge surge in the number of drivers being landed with unreasonable and extortionate fines. Private clampers make millions every year and in some cases are using intimidating and aggressive tactics to raise money from drivers who have unknowingly parked in the wrong place.

“We believe the clamping industry needs to be better regulated by the Government. This would help to put an end to heavy handed tactics and ensure that there’s a fair and consistent approach across the UK by all firms.”

Guest Article by Neil Camp