A CRACKDOWN on car clampers is long overdue.

Shadow Home Secretary Jack Straw and the RAC want tight regulation of the industry because of what he says are "serious problems" with clampers throughout the North-west.

Certainly, in recent years the BEN has reported on numerous complaints about over-zealous clamping.

What Mr Straw and the RAC are demanding are standardised charges for release, towing and storage and an appeals procedure with special provision for the disabled and a reasonable period for motorists to pay up.

That seems fair enough. We do not accept that motorists should have carte blanche to park where they please on private land.

But, like Mr Straw, we do not believe that they should be tyrannised by clamping firms.

Regulations which allow clamping companies to operate only if the owner of the land is registered and licensed and if there is a written contract available to motorists between the land owner and the company sound sensible.

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