‘Park legally to put us out of business’ (From Echo)
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‘Park legally to put us out of business’
10:00am Wednesday 17th February 2010 in Local News
At work – Mark Stone, director of LBS Enforcement, says the common view of clampers is unfair
Car clampers face threats of violence and even wear anti-stab jackets to prevent them becoming victims of motorists, angry at being forced to pay hundreds of pounds for their vehicles to be released.
It is a tough job, but the boss of a Southend-based company says it could go out of business in an instant.
Mark Stone, director of LBS Enforcement, explained: “If every motorist read our signs, which we think are the clearest used by any clamping company, and stayed off private land, we wouldn’t make any money.
“But do you think that will happen?”
Perhaps many motorists across south Essex will have little sympathy and would like nothing more than to see clampers go out of business – but demand for such services is on the increase.
Set up less then two years ago by two former bailiffs, LBS now has contracts to clamp and remove cars from more 100 locations across Essex.
Mr Stone said the common view of clampers was unfair.
He added: “We’ve been in the Echo at least 20 times when private motorists complain, but what about the landowner, the person who owns where motorists have parked?
“They’re paying money for land they see as critical to the success of their business. It’s where they want customers to park, but they’re being obstructed by motorists using their private land for free.”
The source of the anger the company faces is the cost a car owner must pay to recover their vehicle, starting at nearly £300.
The price is high, Mr Stone says, due to the overheads of running the business.
He said: “To get just one of our patrol vans on the road costs around £3,000, a tow truck costs £15,000, maintenance is about £6,000, and vehicle insurance is £15,000.
“The rest of our insurance is around £12,000 and we’ve just been billed for £4,000 for the latest round of staff training.”
The company has recruited 12 clampers in its short existence and they work on commission, getting a cut of the fee a motorist pays to free their vehicle.
Staff are trained to get a BTEC in conflict management. They wear uniforms, carry ID and LBS insists they adopt a strict procedure when clamping a car.
At least three photographs must be taken, proving the offence, and LBS warns motorists anyone trying to remove a clamp can be prosecuted for criminal damage.
LBS says all the properties they are contracted to protect have warning signs.
Mr Stone said: “We operate exactly how a certificated bailiff would work and effectively we’re clearing what has been flytipped on private land.
“We only operate on private land and we’re removing something the landowner doesn’t want on their land.”
One of LBS’s customers in Southend is Mike Martin, the manager of National Cash Advances, in Southchurch Road.
He said: “We’ve got parking behind our premises and we just got more and more fed up finding no space when we arrived for work every morning.
“We had been late opening because of this and it even affects our customers.
“LBS does a good service and checks, when the shop is open, if cars are permitted on our space.”
Land owners tell LBS exactly which vehicles are allowed to park where, 24 hours a day.
More than 20 sites LBS is contracted to clamp and remove cars from are in Southend, but its clampers patrol areas in Romford, Billericay, Chelmsford, Colchester, Benfleet and Brentwood.
LBS says it also keeps a close eye on proposed legislation to control clampers and works closely with the Security Industry Authority.
Mr Stone admits there are “cowboy” clampers out there, but says his firm operates professionally.
LBS operates on a zero tolerance, 24-hour-a-day basis and cars it removes are taken to its compound in Camper Road, Southend, which has had to be reinforced after an angry victim tried to break in to get his vehicle back.
Comments(31)
PJR
says...
11:17am Wed 17 Feb 10
For the record I agree - if you park legally you wouldn't have a problem. I parked on double yellows recently, and got a ticket. There was no where else I could park for work. Did I complain? Nope, I knew I'd done wrong, I took the chance and I've paid.
If you don't like the consequences, don't commit the action!
vangebasildon
says...
1:27pm Wed 17 Feb 10
Thats says it all with regard to no leway given by the clampers.
'V'
says...
1:57pm Wed 17 Feb 10
My heart bleeds. If you don't like the abuse don't be a legalised mugger. These scum deserve no sympathy.
Nebs
says...
2:35pm Wed 17 Feb 10
firedog
says...
4:35pm Wed 17 Feb 10
Bonneville Bert
says...
5:35pm Wed 17 Feb 10
Nice people!!!!
Bullies in uniform.
BASILBRUSH
says...
5:52pm Wed 17 Feb 10
Buffalo Bill
says...
6:06pm Wed 17 Feb 10
You see what I discovered is that there is NO law that covers parking on private property, it's all done under contract law and contract law does not allow for PENALTY CHARGES. It's case law.
Should you wish to know more, then a trip to http://forums.pepipo
o.com/index.php?show
forum=30 will let you know how to fight these parasites.
Buffalo Bill
says...
6:12pm Wed 17 Feb 10
It's easy to wipe the smug little smile off of Mr Stone's face, only costs you £25 to do and lots of legal help is available on link above
westie
says...
9:10pm Wed 17 Feb 10
Beth the original one
says...
9:40pm Wed 17 Feb 10
Buffalo Bill
says...
12:31am Thu 18 Feb 10
You ARE PARKED LEGALLY!, There IS NO LAW that covers private parking!!
Ergo you cannot be "parked illegally".
Just take 5 minutes to look at the price he charges.
In Scotland, Mr Price's activities are illegal.
Mr Price's firm have lost cases because their receipts do not meet the requirement's of the law/SIA requirements.
Beth the original one
says...
7:20am Thu 18 Feb 10
Buffalo Bill wrote:so obviously you are one of the people that think its perfectly ok to park for free on private land that belongs to someone else.
Beth, You ARE PARKED LEGALLY!, There IS NO LAW that covers private parking!! Ergo you cannot be "parked illegally". Just take 5 minutes to look at the price he charges. In Scotland, Mr Price's activities are illegal. Mr Price's firm have lost cases because their receipts do not meet the requirement's of the law/SIA requirements.
how selfish, you are typical of what is wrong with this country, we all think its perfectly ok to take what doesnt belong to us and when the owner kicks up a fuss, you complain.
radioman
says...
2:48pm Thu 18 Feb 10
Buffalo Bill
says...
6:01pm Thu 18 Feb 10
Beth the original one wrote:No Beth, I parked in a shop's car park, visited the shop and spent a fairly substantial sum of money, took items home, discovered that I needed a wall bracket, and other items and drove back to shop to buy them.
Buffalo Bill wrote:so obviously you are one of the people that think its perfectly ok to park for free on private land that belongs to someone else.
Beth, You ARE PARKED LEGALLY!, There IS NO LAW that covers private parking!! Ergo you cannot be "parked illegally". Just take 5 minutes to look at the price he charges. In Scotland, Mr Price's activities are illegal. Mr Price's firm have lost cases because their receipts do not meet the requirement's of the law/SIA requirements.
how selfish, you are typical of what is wrong with this country, we all think its perfectly ok to take what doesnt belong to us and when the owner kicks up a fuss, you complain.
The clapers alleged that I had overstayed the allotted 2 hours maximum time I could park in this car park, (which has around 300 spaces). They had taken my cars index number when I arrived at 11, and when I returned at 1.15 they thought I had been parked all that time. (Despite the fact I was in a different parking space!).
You see if you knew what you were talking about you would find that:
Landowners get approached by these nefarious companies and are told that:
"We will manage your car park for you, and share any additional revenue.." Just google "Parking Control" and you will see how it works.
So, my vehicle was clamped while I was discussing options with a salesman, because the clamping company had said it had been parked for 3 hours.... (It was actually 1 hour in morning, then 30 mins later on in afternoon).
The Manager of the store even tried to get clamp removed, but guess what Clampers wouldn't do it until I paid.
Now you my little pixie cake, may think that is fair and equitable, but I don't. I think it is unfair as I didn't actually break any contract with them. Guess what the clampers work on commission.
You see, Beth, my little fairy cake, I happen to believe that clamping someone who has stuck to the rules, and has spent a fairly substantial sum of money in a shop that has a customer car park and then finding I have to pay £250 to get my own car back, when there is no law covering it is wrong.
The Judge agreed. (The Solicitor for clamping company just looked embarrassed, especially when one of the owners of company gave his "evidence". (Called an unreliable witness by Judge).
So Beth my little swiss roll, perhaps you think that I should have just paid the £250 and drove off? Is that what you would have done?
Beth, my little fudge sundae, it might be worth actually asking what happened before giving me your opinion of what I am like, because not only are you wrong, but you now look a little silly!
Beth the original one
says...
6:40pm Thu 18 Feb 10
Have you had time to think up an excuse as to the whys and wherefores. AND i think you will find that even in most car parks, they state that a return within 2 hours is prohibited, probably because that is when the "wardens" do their rounds, and if they see a car that they have already recorded still there, they can assume that it has gone over the alloted time, unless of course a valid parking ticket has been purchased. You see there is nothing in your previous post to state that you had parked in a shop car park, you just stated thatyou took them to court and won, now you have chosen to elaborate. If you want to claim innocence, at least have the courtesy of putting the whole story, instead of letting everyone assume you had parked on private property without permission.
Buffalo Bill
says...
8:21pm Thu 18 Feb 10
The Judge said it was illegal, Martyn Lewis said it was illegal, Scottish parliament said it was illegal.... Seems only you and the clamper (a relation perhaps?) seems to think it is legal.
As I said, if you can find ONE LAW that says it is illegal to park on private property then please enlighten us.
If you can't (here's a clue there isn't one), then it can't be illegal. (The Solicitor for clamping company couldn't find one either).
You silly little Belgian bun...... Run along and talk about something you actually know something about, or you will just make yourself look even sillier...... Did you go to special school???
Buffalo Bill
says...
8:35pm Thu 18 Feb 10
http://www.poptel.or
g.uk/lynne.jones/par
kingenforcement.htm
A High Court judge said it's not illegal too http://news.bbc.co.u
k/1/hi/england/londo
n/8388077.stm Landowners only own the "Sub Soil"
Beth the original one
says...
7:14am Fri 19 Feb 10
I bet if some selfish lil toerag parked his car on your land, you would be less than happy too, but your attitude implies that you think its ok to do it to others.
Buffalo Bill
says...
4:56pm Fri 19 Feb 10
"Park legally to put us out of business", which implies that they have some kind of legal right to clamp you.... They don't.
if you have ever received a parking ticket from one of these companies, you would discover that the ticket will look remarkably official. It will be called something that can be shortened to PCN (Legal tickets are called Parking Charge Notices), these scum bags will call them Parking Civil Notices or something else made up to try and fool you into thinking you should pay.
The truth is that you don't and whether I would like someone parking on my property or not is immaterial, I still would not have the right to steal £250 from them!
These companies are nothing more than con artists who rely on the gullibility of the public.
Haven't you noticed that they haven't posted on here? But you can bet they have checked the forum out.
As I said don't be fooled, they have no legal powers at all, if you get clamped, go to land registry then issue summons to land owner and parking company. They will ose and you will get your money back and best of all, (as in my case, they wouldn't pay), I therefore got court appointed Bailiffs to attend their premises, (ironically they tend to use mobiles and PO boxes), and state that certain items would be removed unless they paid up (including costs of Bailiffs). It was a delight to watch these "Big men", who like bullying the weak, acting all meek and mild...
Bet I am not on their Christmas card list! LOL
So that ends my post my little Cornish Pastie.
Be good people, pleasant dreams
Last Poster
says...
2:38am Sat 20 Feb 10
Burn it, maybe but I don't think clamping is right!
essexboi1989
says...
9:46am Sat 20 Feb 10
Colleen G
says...
10:53am Sat 20 Feb 10
It doesn't matter if it cost you a £1 getting clamped or £1000, the point is DO NOT park there, the owner doesnt want YOU parking on their land so the penalties are almost academic. The implication here is that some dumbdumbs are prepared to break the rules if the price is right. To those I suggest they start using the brain they were gifted with and quit flapping. Do the crime you do the time, something we should applaud in these lawless times, someone getting punished for breaking roolz.
The private clampers do a job neither the Police or The Council will do to help out private landowners. Like most things these days we are left to fight our own battles. So don't blame the landowners, or indeed anyone else, for your own stupidity.
As the guy said if you behaved then he would be out of business instantly.
Now you understand that simple logic, not rocket science, lets try something a little harder:
One of the fusion reactions taking place in the core of less massive stars (as part of the so-called p-p-chain) is the fusion of two helium-3 nuclei (helium with 2 protons, 1 neutron) resulting in helium-4 (2 protons, 2 neutrons). For helium-3, the binding energy per nucleon is 2.6 MeV, for helium-4 a whopping great 7.1 MeV.
When two helium-3 nuclei merge, producing one helium-4 nucleus and two single protons, the binding energies before the fusion add up to twice the binding energy for helium-3, which is twice 7.8 MeV (t.8 MeV=3 times 2.6 MeV) or 15.6 MeV. After fusion has ocurred, the binding energy is that of the helium-4 nucleus, 4 times 7.1 or 28.5 MeV. The difference of 12.8 MeV is set free; it contributes to the kinetic energies of the resulting helium-4 nucleus and of the two single protons.
Answers on a postcard please. Winner gets a free lunch in the Railway Tavern Pitsea.
Beth the original one
says...
4:19pm Sun 21 Feb 10
essexboi1989 wrote:cant be bothered essexboi, he is of the same calibre as the biatch i came across in tesco, it was raining i admit, but she rammed her car into the gaps between spaces that is designed for mums and toddlers and the disabled, and when i pointed out that it wasnt a parking space, she asked me if i knew her, i said "no thank god, all my friends respect other people and their needs"
nothin like a nice b!tchy argument, keep it up buffalo bill and beth lol
Because she had parked her car their, the car with the blue badge displayed next to her wouldnt be able to be moved because the driver wouldnt be able to open the door, nor would that person be able to shimmy across the seats via passenger door, like an able bodied person could, but then all able bodied friends of mine would walk rather than take up such a space.
essexboi1989
says...
6:25pm Mon 22 Feb 10
Beth the original one wrote:i can see your point now beth ;-)
essexboi1989 wrote:cant be bothered essexboi, he is of the same calibre as the biatch i came across in tesco, it was raining i admit, but she rammed her car into the gaps between spaces that is designed for mums and toddlers and the disabled, and when i pointed out that it wasnt a parking space, she asked me if i knew her, i said "no thank god, all my friends respect other people and their needs"
nothin like a nice b!tchy argument, keep it up buffalo bill and beth lol
Because she had parked her car their, the car with the blue badge displayed next to her wouldnt be able to be moved because the driver wouldnt be able to open the door, nor would that person be able to shimmy across the seats via passenger door, like an able bodied person could, but then all able bodied friends of mine would walk rather than take up such a space.
sum people are just inconsiderate!
Mary Lou
says...
8:28pm Mon 22 Feb 10
Buffalo Bill wrote:Do you have a driveway ?
Beth.... Yawn, couldn't be bothered to read your post..... (BTW signs were so faded and placed too high to read.) The Judge said it was illegal, Martyn Lewis said it was illegal, Scottish parliament said it was illegal.... Seems only you and the clamper (a relation perhaps?) seems to think it is legal. As I said, if you can find ONE LAW that says it is illegal to park on private property then please enlighten us. If you can't (here's a clue there isn't one), then it can't be illegal. (The Solicitor for clamping company couldn't find one either). You silly little Belgian bun...... Run along and talk about something you actually know something about, or you will just make yourself look even sillier...... Did you go to special school???
If so please lets us have your address. Then we can park on your drive whenever we want to. After all it is legal !!
Sir LIFTolot
says...
1:11pm Thu 25 Feb 10
Buffalo Bill wrote:well Buffalo Bill lets just hope that i Sir LIFTolot and my trusted steed iveco do not cross pathes as shall have no trouble in calling my second knight to which he is named as Sir CLAMPolot will gladly put ya car in shackels and to which remove said vehical and return to our castle with pleasure and then charge you a kings ransom for one to reclam your stead yours with honour....Sir LIFTolot
Beth.... Yawn, couldn't be bothered to read your post..... (BTW signs were so faded and placed too high to read.) The Judge said it was illegal, Martyn Lewis said it was illegal, Scottish parliament said it was illegal.... Seems only you and the clamper (a relation perhaps?) seems to think it is legal. As I said, if you can find ONE LAW that says it is illegal to park on private property then please enlighten us. If you can't (here's a clue there isn't one), then it can't be illegal. (The Solicitor for clamping company couldn't find one either). You silly little Belgian bun...... Run along and talk about something you actually know something about, or you will just make yourself look even sillier...... Did you go to special school???
Sir CLAMPalot
says...
1:51pm Thu 25 Feb 10
Buffalo Bill wrote:Was"nt that Buffallo Bill that sex case that was in Silence of the Lambs?
Beth.... Yawn, couldn't be bothered to read your post..... (BTW signs were so faded and placed too high to read.) The Judge said it was illegal, Martyn Lewis said it was illegal, Scottish parliament said it was illegal.... Seems only you and the clamper (a relation perhaps?) seems to think it is legal. As I said, if you can find ONE LAW that says it is illegal to park on private property then please enlighten us. If you can't (here's a clue there isn't one), then it can't be illegal. (The Solicitor for clamping company couldn't find one either). You silly little Belgian bun...... Run along and talk about something you actually know something about, or you will just make yourself look even sillier...... Did you go to special school???
For his and all your information it is not illegal to clamp,remove and store any vehicle that is parked unauthorised on private property. If the clamper holds a current vehicle immoboliser lisence which is legal in England & Wales with clear signage erected showing all the terms of parking.
Also there are two very clear points of law that Mr B&B has not been informed off. Firstly tresspass and the other is flytipping!
Everybody has a moan off when it comes to flytippers when they drop a ton and half of crap in a road, what is the diffrence when some Ptaker drops his car in a loading bay or a fire exit? Or just some rate paying client of ours parking bay!
These inconciderate members of our our public are the Baldricks of society.(Quite loveable but dense).
Please go forth with your trusty steeds and leave them where you should not.
As you will come back and find your steed kidnapped and forced to confinement.
A ransome will be be paid so that once again said steed is aloud to roam the lands of Essex.
Untill our paths will cross once more, you will and said Baldricks of Essex, will pay many a score..
We hope that all ye Balricks have been put on the riotious path..
I wish you good morrow and fairwell
SirCLAMPalot.
bill123
says...
9:18pm Tue 2 Mar 10
AspergerKidJoe
says...
7:18pm Sat 13 Mar 10
thelonewhinger says...
10:38am Wed 17 Feb 10
These clamping firms are cash scams pure and simple and their days are numbered.