The RAC Foundation is claiming a long overdue victory for motorists as clamping on private land without a licence has become a criminal offence.

Anyone found clamping without a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence could incur significant fines of up to £5000 and up to 5 years in prison.

Over the last eleven years the RAC Foundation has campaigned for the introduction of statutory regulations to limit the excesses of private clamping companies.

Ruled to be "extortion and theft" in Scotland since 1992, wheel clamping on private land was banned overnight. However, until today in England and Wales, clampers have been allowed to operate unchecked, charging whatever amounts they liked.