Action ramps up against clamping

Transport Minister Phil Twyford says wheel clamping needs to be illegal – and he was working on legislation to make that happen.

Twyford was working with Consumer Affairs Minister Kris Faafoi on legislation that would ban the controversial practice.

‘‘It is time to change the law and either ban wheel clamping or regulate it.’’

Failing that, Twyford said would like formal restrictions on the industry.

‘‘I regard the wheel clamping industry as predators and bottom feeders,’’ he said.

‘‘I don’t believe National’s voluntary code of conduct has made a blind bit of difference. This latest case shows it’s just not on.’’

Twyford’s comments follow the story of an ill 86-year-old woman who was clamped in Henderson while she sought help for her medical condition.

The $200 fine was eventually voided by the clamping company but only after police were involved.

Gordon Ward, a spokesperson for the Elite Parking Services, said that the clamper only saw a car illegally parked and not the person.

He rejected calls for a ban. In response to Twyford’s description of clampers as ‘‘bottom feeders’’, Ward said Twyford was just a politician and ‘‘we know how everyone feels about them’’.

Elite Parking Services would not sign up to the current code of practice as it was currently written, Ward said.

The code was written by groups who advocated for drivers without substantial consultation with property owners, he said.

Automobile Association principal adviser Mark Stockdale said the organisation was against the practice of clamping and advocated for it to be made illegal.

Stockdale said many people who were clamped complained the fine was ‘‘extortionate’’.