Overnight on Sunday 22nd Nov I had my car wheelclamped outisde my house on Westwood Park, with a note stating I had been reported as illegally parked and requesting ?100 cash release fee.

This was timed for maximum inconvenience on Monday morning no doubt.

After calling the council who stated it was not one of their agents (they do not clamp on residential streets), I contacted the police who followed up. They called the firm, named Metropolitan to give some semblance of association no doubt, and the clamp was removed within an hour, with no knock on the door or justification.

Whilst I avoided paying, others may not be so inclined to challenge, esp if desperate to go to work. If you suffer this tactic, I would advise contacting the police directly.