Digbeth car clamping workers arrested in swoops

Aug 26 2009 By Edward Chadwick

FOUR men who work for a Birmingham car clamping firm were today arrested in swoops by police.

They were held as part of an investigation into an allegedly rigged ticket machine at a Birmingham car park.

Police said the men were being held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit fraud.

They said the investigation was launched into the company, Car Clamping Securities, after drivers complained they had been clamped despite paying for a full day’s parking at Bordesley Street in Digbeth.

Trading standards bosses suspect the machine there may have been tampered with so that £2 coins did not register.

Drivers were then hit with demands for £315 to have their cars released after they were towed away.

The machine was seized from the car park in June in order for experts to examine it.

The four men were arrested at addresses in Kings Heath, Balsall Heath, Billesley and Smethwick, where vehicles, cash and paperwork were also seized.

The owner of the company was not at his detached home in Olton, when a dozen police officers arrived at 7am to question him and search the address.

He now faces questioning when he returns from holiday tomorrow.