The British Parking Association is urging the Government to include the towing away or removal of vehicles on private land within the Private Security Industry Act 2001. Following advice from the BPA, legislation was introduced to limit the scope for ‘rogue’ wheel clampers, but the BPA is now pushing for these powers to also cover those who tow away or remove vehicles from private land.
Keith Banbury, Chief Executive of the British Parking Association, explains: “Although towing away or removing vehicles is a legitimate form of parking enforcement, there is flexibility within the current legislation to outlaw those operators who use this method of parking control for their own personal gain.
We are convinced that this is the right approach and are working with the Government to ensure that the less scrupulous operators are driven out of business.”
However, Banbury was also keen to stress the need for using the term ‘removal’ rather than ‘tow away’. “Using the term tow away leaves a legal loop hole to be exploited – rogue operators will simply lift cars and transport them away.
Whilst recognising that in some circumstances the removal of vehicles from private land is necessary, it is vital that we put a stop to the indiscriminate use of this practice, which causes so much upset to the people affected.”
