Always Tows, Never clamps

[Rattyboy]

The residential area I live in has signs up saying "unautherised vehicles will be clamped / towed away." If i car is parked out of their bay with a permit (on a kerb) or in a visitors space without a pass, it is instantly towed 41 miles away to manchester. The company never clamp, they just tow the cars away, the signs dont mention parking out of bays is not allowed. When challenged the tow truck drivers wont produce ID and have no address on the signs or vans. The only number they give is a mobile number which goes straight through to voicemail asking you to leave contact details if you want your car to be released. Everything about this company seems dodgy. Does anyone have any advice on how i can check this company and drivers are legit?

[green_and_mean]

Why not ask the person who hires them?

[Rattyboy]

I asked the management company for the flats for a copy of their contract with the clamping firm stating the conditions for towing / clamping. Their reply was that there is no written contract only a verbal contract to enforce parking. I have been throught this document

http://www.britishparking.co.uk/incl...ice_part_1.pdf

and this towing company seem to break loads of these guidelines

[Rattyboy]

What i forgot to ask is can they tow away without issuing a ticket / clamp?

Also do you have to pay the release fee to get your car from the pound or do you just have to agree to pay?

[green_and_mean]

I would just report a towed car as stolen, without written consent from the landowner they are on very dodgy ground removing vehicles especially if they don't produce ID.

[Rattyboy]

To add a bit more to the story, they did try to take my car last night but before they had put the hook on to drag my car on to the wagon i jumped in and locked the doors. When i called the police because they wouldt show me ID they sped off. Like most of the stories on these threads though, the police arnt interested.

I hate the fact that if my car was taken, i would have to travel 41 miles to get it back and pay nearly £300 to get it out the pound. I would then have little or no chance of getting my money back without going to court.

[pin1onu]

Originally Posted by Rattyboy

To add a bit more to the story, they did try to take my car last night but before they had put the hook on to drag my car on to the wagon i jumped in and locked the doors. When i called the police because they wouldt show me ID they sped off. Like most of the stories on these threads though, the police arnt interested.

I hate the fact that if my car was taken, i would have to travel 41 miles to get it back and pay nearly £300 to get it out the pound. I would then have little or no chance of getting my money back without going to court.

Ratty,

It sounds like these may be unlicensed cowboys.

The PSI Act sets out that:

• The person immobilising the vehicle must be licensed by the Security Industry Authority.
• The person immobilising or releasing the vehicle must have their Security Industry Authority identification badge on display.
• Upon payment a receipt must be issued. The receipt should contain the:
  • the name of the license holder
  • the signature of the license holder
  • the license holders SIA License number
  • the location where the vehicle was clamped or towed
  • the date when the vehicle was clamped or towed

Immobilising in this instance means clamping, towing or blocking.

If you suspect a breach. Get as much evidence on them as you can. The principals of the firm are required to hold non-frontline licenses. Get vehicle registration number and any details from the signs - location of the pound. Report them to the SIA (www.the-sia.org.uk). They must display their badges. If they refuse they are breaching their licensing terms. It is also an offense to employ unlicensed immobilisers. Your management companies can be prosecuted.

You should also report this incident to the police. Mention the PSI Act 2001. You can use crimestoppers if you want.

The SIA do have a facility for checking the validity of licenses but how easy it will to be track them without a name or SIA number is hard to say.

[jimmylesaint]

Ratty when scum bags drive away like that, report it to the police as they are likely to be breaking the PSIA. If the police aren't interested, remind them they have a DUTY to investigate, and if still no joy ask to speak to a sergeant, if no joy then complain to an inspector, and if no joy(god help us there will be by now) then complain to the IPP.