POLICE were called to a three-hour stand-off between a tearful young driver and a wheel-clamping company notorious for catching out motorists outside a parade of shops in Bounds Green.

Sharon Clancy had parked in privately-owned service road Latham Court, off Brownlow Road, and after spending less than a minute inside returned to find four "intimidating bouncer-types" attempting to clamp her car on Thursday, August 19.

Eyewitnesses watched her race towards the vehicle and attempt to intercept the operation by putting her foot in the way.

One of the employees for Sango Securities Ltd, based in Wood Green, then accused her of assaulting him - an allegation Miss Clancy said was false.

When police arrived, the young woman was in floods of tears but refused to pay the £250 fine. She was threatened that if she didn't pay up, her car would be towed.

But when the tow truck arrived it was too large to gain access to Latham Court, and Miss Clancy was still charged nearly £500 for a towing fee before her car was released.

Bounds Green resident Kislaya Agrawal, of Queen Road, who was at the scene said: "The clampers lurk around and prey on people who are just nipping into the shop. The signs stating it is a private road are not easy to identify. If I had the time, I would stand out there myself with a sign to warn motorists.

"They are more than six foot tall, big bouncer-types, and always travel in packs. It is very intimidating. To see these large men essentially ganging up on a young woman in her 20s was upsetting. To say she assaulted them, is absurd."

The incident came in the same week Home Officer minister Lynne Featherstone announced a law would be passed in parliament to outlaw unscrupulous clamping companies who abuse motorists by making it illegal to tow or clamp on private land. Until then, provided wheel-clampers have a licence from the Security Industry Authority, they are not breaking any laws and neither the police nor local authority can do anything about it.

Bounds Green ward councillor Matt Cooke, who represents Bounds Green, said: "It is great news the Government has implemented a Labour proposal for clamping down on unnecessary car clamping on private land. This has been a massive issue for visitors to Bounds Green and few weeks have gone by without advising victims of the Latham Court clampers how to appeal their fines and working to try and end the practice for good.

"This was a poorly regulated practice, grossly unfair and thoroughly antisocial and it's very welcome that it looks like our area will finally see the back of it."

The Haringey Independent attempted to contact Sango at its Wood Green headquarters but was unable to speak to anyone.