What to do if you get clamped

[callmehunter]

I've been reading through the site. theres loads here on advice for PCN's given by private companies. But what happens if you get clamped on private land. Obviously in this situation you have to get the clamp off and this means phoning up the clamping company. Are there any ways to argue this, especially if you find your car clamped and there is an unreasonable charge.

 

Do you

 

a) Take action at the time

b) Take action later

c) Take no action

 

?

 

Cheers.

[itsamomentintime]

maybe call the police as your car has been unlawfully immobilised???

[Zamzara]

Unforunanately, if there are proper signs and the company is SIA registered the police can't do anything as the clamping is legal (due to a somewhat perverse court decision).

 

If you can remove the clamp without damaging it (usually by deflating the tyre), then you may do so.

[itsamomentintime]

zamzara

 

can you elaborate re perverse court decision?

[Zamzara]

Arthur v Anker

 

The judge ruled that clamping is legal if there are clear signs, as the driver has consented to it. I call the decision perverse, as I can't imagine the precedent extending to any other analagous areas (such as nailing someone's front door shut or clamping a pram), so it appears the motorist has as usual been singled out.

[Ting Tong]

if they have damaged your car in any way or scratched it then you can sue them for tresspass to goods and claim for the damage