Gastro

Just wondering what type/size is required to dispense with the padlock on a wheel clamp - not the government ones - private company type that have a visible padlock etc...

Any ideas on cost etc.. ?

Thanks,

Gastro

GU5

Criminal damage charges anyone??

NACRO

I would imagine that criminal damage would cost less than paying the release fee these days.

Go for it- hire an angle grinder when needed and cut away.

The Zohan

You need to be careful here, you are in criminal damage territory or at least i was told so when asking the same question. Any hire shop will hire them to you, explain it is for a padlock and no more, cost about £ 2.50 per week to hire.

I was told that if the clamp company damaged you car whilst fitting said device then they are liable for criminal damage as well so find a mark or dent on the wing/wheel and sue their ar$es.

Fecking parasites!

Gastro

Thanks for the advice.
I'm currently undergoing a stressful time at the hospital - they don't have enough parking for the medical staff - so when I turn up to do a 24hour on-call and adlib and park in a chevronned area - I return to a wheel clamp & a £25 fine.

Hence my question

Gastro

PS - I've told them it happens again and the NHS waiting time will start going up

BOB.T

I'd like to know where you would stand if you put a sticker on each wheel..."Clamp this wheel and your clamp WILL be destroyed and you WILL be billed for it's removal at a 100 quid per minute"

The Zohan

Can't the hospital provide you with a permit or such, what a shambles!

Gastro

Thats the point - I pay £130/year for a permit - but thats not guaranteed parking and hence some (most) times - I can't park in the bays.... now I'm getting clamped and I'm considering drastic action...

..perhaps the local paper may be interested

Gastro

The Zohan

Yes, i bet the local papers would be, also contact you local BBC radio/TV re this, they just love a story like this.

What a joke, you get a permit and they cannot even guarantee a parking space. Typical of what has happened to our NHS.

Witchfinder

If you're in London, you could call Angle Grinder Man! He'll save you!

http://www.anglegrinderman.com/

[Edited by Witchfinder - 30/07/2003 10:31:44]

unclebuck

Seriously though, that is appalling. Name and shame the clamping company in the local press.

UB

douglasb

If you have the right contacts, you could try what a rep for an enginering company who calls on my brother-in-law once did.

Finding his car clamped, he called the guys back at the workshop who came out with cutting gear and cut through the "legs" of the clamp (rather than the padlock). They took the bits back to the workshop, welded it back together and resprayed it. They then returned to where the car had been clamped and left the clamp in the gutter.

How can they charge or criminal damage when no the clamp isn't damaged?

Doug

Butkus

What about cutting the clamp off, disposing of everything, and then denying all knowledge of ever being there? When they approach just say they must be dreaming..

Diablo

Cut it off and replace the padlock.

Leave the undamaged clamp, and the new padlock and keys. No criminal damage then

Gotta be cheaper than £25 every time.

You'll probably get a bulk discount on padlocks.

Alternatively, " borrow" the clamp, having cut it off and clamp the clampers vehicle when they are off clamping someone else.

Of course, you've got the keys

D

boxst

Hello

Can't you pick the lock? Depending on the type of padlock, it'll probably take no more than a few minutes.

Steve.

richs2891

From experiance if you read the stuff they put on your car they are NOT always liable for any damage to your car whilst putting the clamp on.
Could try to sue them but most are cowboy opperators etc just interested in extracting maximum cash out of people.

The people that clamped me had this put on the bottom of the ticket. Police where powerless to do nothing about this even when they have scratched the wing on my car when putting the clamp on. Saying that the police did nothing after the clampers called them after I removed there clamp and when it slipped through my fingers on to the clampers van bonnet ! Just told me to go away !

Richard

blueE9

a friendly bloke working in a yard near my house busts them off with a scaffolding pole for free (or the cost of a pint if you're feeling matey). It's a well established routine to go and find him every time someone comes into the cafe ranting and raving about being clamped by the latest bunch of theives. Who says there's no community spirit any more? Clearly this gets you your car back but wouldn't do much for your specific situation. Nice to see the world fighting back against the forces of darkness tho isn't it?

Brendan Hughes

Put a sign on your car saying you are on medical call and anyone interfering with it hereby agrees to pay the full costs of subsequent illness or death of the patient.

flat4

buy 4 wheel clamps and clamp your car everytime you leave it, they can't clamp a car that's already been clamped plus your car insurance wil be reduced with the added security measures - saves you money all round


kev

lpski1

LMAO at Flat4 good effort

TopBanana

It's the same in the John Radcliffe in Oxford. The missus's car is always getting dinged - and that's when she can actually find a space

Diablo

Mate, sticking a disclaimer on the ticket isn't worth **** as a disclaimer.

Having it clearly visible on any warning signs that you may be clamped is a different matter, though.

You could always put signs in your windows warning that any clamp attached will be considered criminal damage and will be dealt with accordingly...LOL...

D

PS - come live in Scotland - private clamping has been outlawed up here

Brendan Hughes

Gastro, won't help you immediately, but this guy might possibly like to hear of your experience to add to his file:

The Law Commission, Law under review
57/19 Wheelclamping on Private Land
Views are sought on proposals to tackle problems associated with wheelclamping vehicles parked on private land, the extent and nature of the practice, and the current legal position. Other allied practices, such as towing-away or blocking-in, are also included, but wheelclamping on the public highway in London is regulated by statute and is outside the scope of the exercise.

Contact - Nick Hunt Home Office (Room 32830) 50 Queen Anne's Gate London SW1H 9AT 020 7273 3622

Dazza01

Buy a MONSTER TRUCK.....park where the **** u like then

midget1500

flat4 - self clamping, i like it!

dazza - yeah, wonder if they have clamps big enough for 10 foot wheels, lol

Gastro

Thanks guys...
Some excellent suggestions - I just love the 4 wheel clamp idea

Gastro

Anders

Forest management parking masturbators couldn't get their clamp under my 22b

Threatend to have it towed away I wrote to the company pointing out I am an emergency Dr and if they spent more time removing stolen abandoned cars than harassing paid up Drs they would be doing a better job and that the difs would bust if they tried to tow the car.....left me alone

Other tips park the rear wheels tight to the kerb and put fronts on full lock

Huxley

Just a thought if you get the clamp off and you drive away with the clamp how do they stand with the situation of proving they clamped the your car if it's not there ?

If you no your local locksmith very well like pub mates it helps as well as most pad locks can be picked if you know what you are doing

You could also use these These

And do a search on the net there is lots of stuff to get you out of trouble or get you in it


Huxley

boxst

Hello

Following on from Huxley, if you practice you should be able to open a front door in under 30 seconds and most (crappy) padlocks within 10 seconds.

Steve (mis-spent, but never illegal, youth!)

Huxley

==


**** the clampers [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]



Huxley