Don't fall foul of last-gasp clampers (From Thurrock Gazette)

The clamping 'men' who look after the car park for the businesses by Chafford Hundred station are nothing more than thiefs. I am fortunate enough to never have been clamped by them but have watched them on many occasions clamping cars when a car has been parked for a matter of seconds. The 'men' who clamp the cars are intimidating, nasty, evil scum who threaten the owners of the cars they clamp when they dispute what they are doing. In one instance they clamped an electrician's van and all he had done was go to the cash machine outside Tesco Express. When he stood up to the 'men' by using a tool to remove the clamp they reversed their car (a grey Vauxhall Vectra) right up against the car whilst he was trying to remove the clamp. They then put another clamp on the passenger front wheel. Another time I saw them clamp a Royal Mail van who was collecting from the Post Box and then he popped into Tesco's. Whenever I park in the allocated Tesco spaces nowadays and see one of my fellow drivers parking in the main car park, I tell them to move or they will be clamped. These 'men' hide and wait for the unsuspecting motorist to walk off and then they immediately pounce on their car. There are signs around the car park warning people not to park, however, you could easily miss them upon entering the car park. A lot of people park on the chevrons thinking they are ok to, but no you will be clamped there to. Be aware

It's really quite simple (and no, I am not necessarily sticking up for the clampers as I would agree that clamping a post van is ridiculous), irrespective of whether you see signs or not or you are popping to the cash machine etc, if you park somewhere other than a parking bay then you have nothing to complain about if you get clamped.

I'm assuming the electrician had no reason other than laziness to park incorrectly to go to the cash machine. Therefore he correctly got clamped.

There's no point moaning about getting caught doing something you shouldn't have been doing when it's quite clear you was doing it.

I agree that if you are parking where you shouldn't, you should face the consequences, however, this particular clamping company are only there to earn a quick £200. They don't care who they clamp and it is the way they use aggression and intimidation to the public, including in front of children, which is morally wrong. The men are not nice people, I have witnessed what they do and how they deal with a situation. In my view good riddance and if the car park shouldn't be used by the public then ensure there is a proper way to stop people parking there, for example a barrier.

I have never understood the practice of clamping. Parking restrictions are there to keep the areas clear, clamping seems to be adverse in that it stops vehicles being moved to clear the spaces. Most clampers are criminally minded anyway as well as being aggressive and vindictive.

I have never understood the practice of clamping. Parking restrictions are there to keep the areas clear, clamping seems to be adverse in that it stops vehicles being moved to clear the spaces. Most clampers are criminally minded anyway as well as being aggressive and vindictive.

The problem is these scum seem to be on hand all the time. To prey on the unsuspecting. The electrician mentioned, why should a tradesman be hampered by having tools etc a walk away. Better to have other tools close to hand. Also so what if someone parks for a few minutes to go to a shop or whatever. No wonder shops go out of business. I see all manner of shops that look interesting to look around and the fact I can't park somewhere convenient for a few minutes without paying, or have to drive around to find somewhere to park, does not encourage me to go in and so I stick to the majors / shopping centres. OK there are probably places where you need some form of parking restriction, but if this is the case, the council should be forced by law to provide ample free parking within 5 minutes walk.
I have had family fall foul of these parasites, and these were council eployed ones. They were on company business and away from their vehicle for about 30 minutes. Not only had they been ticketed, when they returned, it was in the process of being towed. When you looked at the ticket, it was carte blanche to practically do what they liked. There was a clause that said you could have your vehicle impounded after 40 minutes, but the notices were 7 foot up lamp posts and there were small signs at the end of road saying it was a residents only permit (nonsense) area. We went to look, we stopped in the middle of the road, which caused more inconvenience than parking.
Frankly I couldn't think of anything that would be too unpleasant to do to people involved in or who instigate clamping schemes.

If you have a parking areas that you want to be private then fence them off or gate them.

Fences, gates, barriers etc with something to restrict entry to certain groups, all better than resorting to this sort of nonsense, even if it's legal.