BILLERICAY: Car clamp firm under spotlight
A DENTAL nurse who had to fork out £143 when her car was clamped has raised concerns after it emerged the firm responsible is facing an investigation.
Jayne Pope, who works for Billericay Dental Care in Crown Yard, parked her car in a space rented for staff but was clamped after forgetting to display her permit.
Jayne, 48, said: "I was crying and pleading with him.
"I told him he knew that space belonged to us and he could have come in to check it was a member of staff parked there.
"I have a permit but just forgot to put it up."
Jayne was told she had 10 minutes to pay the £143 fine or faced having her car towed.
After arguing her case the employee of LBS Enforcement Ltd told her that the fine had gone up to £283 because the tow truck had already been called.
She demanded to speak to a manager and eventually persuaded him to reduce it back down to £143.
"That's still three days' wages for me," she said.
Other traders who use the Crown Yard car park have also expressed their concerns.
Trevor Whiting, a partner at Core Financial LLP, said: "I've lost a client because of it. He arrived late and when he went back out to his car he was clamped and had to pay £150.
"Another client said they were taking pictures of his car while his wife and daughter were sitting in it and it felt very threatening."
Last week a Chelmsford couple won a court case against LBS Enforcement Ltd, which illegally towed their car and charged them nearly £500 to get it back.
The company are now facing an investigation after it emerged they are dishonestly claiming to be Security Industry Authority (SIA) "approved contractors".
A spokesman for LBS Enforcement Ltd refused to comment on the recent legal action, but speaking about parking at Crown Yard, he said: "We have done nothing untoward. There are very clear signs up and if people do not display their permits they will be clamped."
An SIA spokesman confirmed the company is not approved by them.
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by joel woodside, chadwell heath, romford
Wednesday, September 22 2010, 12:02PM
“I today parked my car and ran over the road to give my girlfriend her bank card which she forgot so she could pay for her teeth to be removed. once a left which was no longer then 3 mins they had already attatched the first part of the clamp on the wheel. i see him doing it as i ran over the road. He gave the same story, tow truck been dispatched but he never even finished attatching the clamp. he slapped the full price of £434 straight away, within minutes the area manager arrived but would give no lee-way at all and there was nothing i could do. so within a matter of ten minutes the clamp was attatched, tow truck called and area manager arrived. This is wrong and want to do everything possible to recover the money i have to fork out as it is not a small amount at all. i have not paid yet as i do not have the money and struggling before the con. with no car my girlfriend cannot get to work either so its more money lost and most probably more money on top as storage costs. i have contacted welfare rights but the want to see me tomorrow. also the paperwork i received they have left the amount owed before release box empty but signed and filled out the rest, thinking what im thinking?”
by joel woodside, chadwell heath
Wednesday, September 22 2010, 11:59AM
“I today parked my car and ran over the road to give my girlfriend her bank card which she forgot so she could pay for her teeth to be removed. once a left which was no longer then 3 mins they had already attatched the first part of the clamp on the wheel. i see him doing it as i ran over the road. He gave the same story, tow truck been dispatched but he never even finished attatching the clamp. he slapped the full price of £434 straight away, within minutes the area manager arrived but would give no lee-way at all and there was nothing i could do. so within a matter of ten minutes the clamp was attatched, tow truck called and area manager arrived. This is wrong and want to do everything possible to recover the money i have to fork out as it is not a small amount at all. also the paperwork i received they have left the amount owed before release box empty but signed and filled out the rest, thinking what im thinking?”
by karen donnelly, billericay
Thursday, April 01 2010, 2:04PM
“Girls - today I met with John Baron my local MP for a photo shoot and he has submitted my story to the local press. I have already had a call from the Evening Echo !!! Please come forward with your stories to back this campaign up. We have nothing to lose and maybe something to gain.
They (LBS) admit that the £498.50 is only charged once the vehicle has been removed and placed in a compound, This clearly was not the case with us.
I highly recommend taking your stories to your local MP's and making them aware of this companies outrageous behaviour.
Karen”
by Ruth, Westcliff
Sunday, March 28 2010, 4:57PM
“Karen - great news your MP is taking this up. It's an outrage and it's obvious females and the vulnerable are rich pickings for this bunch of bullies. Who is your MP?
I do intend to fight this.”
by karen donnelly, billericay
Thursday, March 25 2010, 9:01PM
“Ruth - it does say on their website that their courtesous team members carry their SIA licenses at all times. There does seem to be some confusion as to whether they are actually approved by the SIA? Good news for me tho, my local MP has been in touch and wants to take my story to the press as he has been inundated with complaints from his and other constituancies, so hopefully this will get things moving along? He also confirmed that they seem to prey on single ladies and eldery people too.
I hope you carry on fighting as I am trying to do. These bullies need to be stopped.
take care
Karen”
by Ruth, Westcliff
Thursday, March 25 2010, 5:19PM
“The company are now facing an investigation after it emerged they are dishonestly claiming to be Security Industry Authority (SIA) "approved contractors".
Does anyone know where they were claiming to be approved contractors - was it their website / signs?”
by karen, billericay
Monday, March 22 2010, 2:02PM
“Huh I just got a reply from LBS saying the signs are very clear and to stay OF! their clients land. They can't even spell !!!!
Oh well next step .............”
by karen donnelly, billericay
Monday, March 22 2010, 1:24PM
“Susan whenand how did you sue them? I too checked the SIA number and the guy who clamped me is legittimate.
One thing is tho, have you noticed that it is all WOMEN that appear to be alone, they seem to be clamping, or it is just that the men don't go on these sites to blog???
I have appealed to them by e-mail twice now and asked them to acknowledge my e-mail, but I have had no reply. I have written to my local MP and Watchdog. I may get in touch with Rogue Traders, and the One show too. The more people know about them the better.
Karen”
by Sue, Eastwood
Sunday, March 21 2010, 3:38PM
“They have at least 11 Un-satisfied CCJ's registered against them, this is going up all the time.
I am confused about the SIA licence as I have found a number for Mark Stone (one of the directors).”
by Susan, Eastwood
Sunday, March 21 2010, 3:35PM
“I successfully sued LBS enforcement - That said no money has been forth coming. There is a stated Law casr Anker V Arthur Signs must be very clear. State that in your case. If you pay by credit card you should also take it up with them - under the credit consumer act 1974. I also suggest writting to local MP, SIA & trading standards, they have many complaints in the last year.
Best of Luck
Susan”