Mum's allegations of 'intimidation' by wheel clampers
Lisa Greenhalf had parked her car in Rock Channel last Wednesday (July 28) in the morning and returned four hours later to find two 'burly and aggressive' men demanding she pay 350 with her credit card, otherwise her car would be towed away.
The street is a private road which only allows residential parking but Mrs Greenhalf insists there were no signs indicating this in the stretch of road her car was in.
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Hide AdShe said: "There never has been a sign in the 10 years I have parked there.
"I felt very threatened and intimidated, a lone woman holding my 13-month-old son James, being confronted by two very burly and aggressive individuals demanding my credit card details.
"All I could think of, apart from our personal safety, was the fact I had to go and collect my four-year-old daughter Alice from nursery before it closed.
"Frankly, I felt, and still feel, like I was the victim of a mugging."
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Hide AdMrs Greenhalf, of Knights Meadow, Battle, blasted the fee she had to pay as 'unreasonable and downright extortionate'.
She said the clamping company, AM Secure Services, based in Maidstone, Kent, subsequently put up new signs across the street warning it operated in the area.
Her husband Guy has written to the firm demanding the 350 is refunded.
Mrs Greenhalf and her husband reported the matter to the police over allegations of intimidation. Police advised them to contact the company direct to complain.
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Hide AdThe incident has also been reported to the Security Industry Authority (SIA), which regulates security companies.
Mrs Greenhalf received a letter of apology and a full refund from AM Secure Services yesterday (Thursday) morning.