Thanks for all your responses. The camera he used was just a normal digital camera. I had assumed that only CEOs and CCTVs had the power to take photos of parking violations and use that to issue fines. As otherwise surely that would mean any Tom, Dick or Harry can take a photo of a violation and send it to the local authority. The road markings had faded so I couldn't see the word taxi. Although there is a sign that said it is a taxi rank and no stopping at any time, but it was a few metres further up. I didn't leave my car and there was a 4x4 in front of me so I couldn't see the sign from where I was. However I'm sure if I did leave my car or got out to check I would have seen it. Rather than wanting to use the bay, he was just angry I was in there! Once he finished he drove off!

Going on to whether the owners will also be held liable, they won't be if they acted reasonably in hiring the clampers, took reasonable steps to ensure they were competent, and checked that the work they were doing was properly done. Hope that helps!

I had stopped in a taxi rank in London whilst I was waiting for someone, although I did not know it was one. In my defence, I have always seen cars parked there (in fact there were 2 at that moment and in the 5 years I have lived in the area I have never seen a taxi there) and as I was approaching the box was faded, the signage was a few metres further up (and it was night time), so I really had no idea. I stopped behind another car. Whilst I was waiting a black taxi pulled up next to me and angrily shouted "oi, move!". I obviously had no idea why he shouted and to be honest got a little freaked out, to the point where I took out my phone in case I need to call someone. He then parked in front of the car in front of me, got out and spoke to them. Don't know what happened but a few minutes later the car drove away. As they drove away the taxi driver was standing there with a little machine of some sort in his hand, typed something in and then began taking pictures of my numberplate with a camera. I drove closer to him and asked what he's doing and he began asking (shouting more like) if I can read and that I'm parked in a taxi rank. When I told him I didn't know, he kept shouting he doesn't care, swearing, took a few more photos and then drove off. I was wondering what he is going to do with the photos and what that machine was. Do taxi drivers have the power to send off such things so the council can issue the fine? I will pay the fine if I get one. I was in the wrong and ignorance does not excuse me from the ticket, but I still would rather avoid getting one at all!! I do plan to complain about the taxi driver once / if I get a fine. His behaviour was aggressive and threatening and completely unneccesary. Thank you!