LBS clampers arrested

[nigel_bytes]

TWO clampers from Essex company LBS Enforcement have been arrested on suspicion of fraud.

 

The men, a 40-year-old from Leigh and a 54-year-old from Southend, were arrested in relation to clamping activity in Clacton.

 

Police say the arrests were made in relation to a series of clamping incidents which occured in the town in May this year.

 

Fraud covers a range of offences and is defined as obtaining money or a financial advantage by deception.

 

Motorists from across the county have complained to Essex Police about the behaviour of LBS, based in Wickford and Southend, but only recently have police begun investigating the complaints.

 

Police previously stated that because clamping and towing from private land was regarded as a civil matter, it was not something they could get involved in.

 

In Clacton, there have been many complaints from people who have been clamped by LBS while parking on private land in Agate Road, near Danes Cleaners.

 

One incident concerned Vanessa Altin, who said she was clamped despite being a genuine customer of Danes.

 

Mrs Altin won a county court judgment against LBS in April but, despite using bailiffs and pursuing one of the company directors to his home address, was unable to get her £311 back.

 

Another incident involved single mother Tanya Martin, who complained in April that LBS threatened to tow away her car while she and her two children were inside.

 

A police spokeswoman said: “Two men have been arrested on suspicion of fraud in relation to clamping in Clacton, a 40-year-old man from Leigh and a 54-year-old man from Southend.

 

“They have been released on police bail, pending further enquiries, until October 24.

 

“The arrests are in connection with a number of clamping incidents that occurred in May in Clacton.”

 

The spokeswoman was not able to give any more details about the circumstances of the arrest. LBS, which is registered to addresses in London Road, Leigh, and Westray Walk, Wickford, and has a pound in Camper Road, Southend, manages sites across Essex and East London.

 

Its directors are Mark Stone, 43, from Southend, and Matthew Boosey, 37, from Wickford.

 

Clacton MP Douglas Carswell said: “I wouldn’t want to comment on this particular case because I don’t know all the details, but I would say the police have absolute full support from everybody in the community that the laws are fulfilled, and any clampers behaving unlawfully are brought to book.”

http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/8408151.Clampers_arrested_in_fraud_inquiry/

[DBC]

This was the oufit featured on Watchdog a couple of weeks ago, and who recently clamped a couple of vehicles belonging to a water company.

[Glitch]

Surely if any PPS has a judgement against them at the Caounty Court there must be a case for criminal prosecution.

 

Why should they get away with their blackmail, fraud, deception and extortion?

[andydd]

I witnessed the clamping of the 2 water vans as its near my house. The local paper has numerous stories on LBS http://www.echo-news.co.uk/, at one point it had about 5 stories running at once !

 

Andy

[DBC]

And the water company stupidly paid up.

[68904]

If clamping was carried out by striking yorkshire miner, would the Police still call it a civil matter.

Its about time the Clown Hall Parking Department were visited by our Suburu Impretza driving bully boys in blue and meat out some justice for joe bloggs in his Morris minor.