UNAUTHORISED parking has been a problem for companies in Watford for sometime and many have resorted to private clamping firms to solve the issue.

But the activities of these clampers has now come to the attention of the police and it may be that some have been operating illegally, because they do not have the correct licensing.

If this proves to be true their activities must be stamped on swiftly by the police and they must be replaced by authorised companies operating within the law.

Businesses of all kinds need to be able to deter drivers from taking up their private parking spaces and it is easy to understand their frustration at having drivers simply use their facilities without a thought.

But this does not give companies a free hand to deal as they wish with offending vehicles.

Parking on a companies land without permission may be thoughtless and irritating but it's impact is nothing compared to the fear and anger spread some car clampers tactics.

Police say they have been inundated with calls about this issue in the past three weeks.

Incidents reported to the police include allegations of damage to vehicles, complaints about the speed with which cars have been towed after being left and intimidation by clamping crews.

Another aspect to this is the charges being made by clampers to release vehicles, which are frequently excessive.

The punishment must allays fit the crime and £265 - the amount some drivers have had to pay - is too much for a parking error.

A police spokesman said this week the car clampers were creating hysteria in the town, this may be an over-statement but action needs to be taken before it proves to be realistic.