Warning over clamped cars

They have been warned they face arrest for criminal damage as well as having their car towed away.

South Yorkshire Police’s Operation Impact on Crime has seized more than 400 cars from the roads since it began at the beginning of last month, and a further 170 have been brought in by the DVLA. Offences have included dangerous faults such as loose bumpers and bald tyres, as well as vehicles without any tax or insurance.

But Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Paul Broadbent said some motorists had tried to escape action by taking the clamp off themselves.

He said: “We have become aware of a small, but significant, number of incidents where this has happened.

“The DVLA has taken some steps to strengthen their clamps and we will be prosecuting anyone who has caused damage to them. So not only will people find their cars towed away, they will also be arrested for criminal damage.”

The Impact operation, which sees police across Yorkshire and Humberside working together with other agencies including the DVLA and Trading Standards, has covered a range of issues including anti-social behaviour, domestic violence and street crime as well as vehicle crime.