CUSTOMERS are outraged after having their cars clamped in shop car parks - then fined £465 to release their vehicles.

A clamping firm has approached owners of petrol stations and private car parks in Walthamstow, Chingford and Highams Park, where they have agreed to operate on the owner’s behalf, clamping those who are misusing their car park.

But the Guardian has been inundated with calls from drivers using car parks in the Somerfield and Texaco garage in Forest Road and the BP garage in Forest Road, where they say they have been clamped while using the shops by over-zealous firm Citywatch.

Tax advisor Chris Herbert of Forest Road, Walthamstow, likened his experience to being “robbed” when he was stung for £465 after parking in the Somerfield car park while he went to buy a newspaper.

The 28-year-old said: “I always park there and went into the shop for one minute. Then the shop worker came back in and said it was being clamped, it was £465 - I couldn’t believe it.

“The manager said 'he’s shopping in here, don’t clamp him', but they did. He said they’d had four customers clamped in the last week, and one while the man was sitting in the car.

“It is extortion. I feel like I have been robbed.”

The British Parking Association (BPA) recommends that drivers who believe they have been clamped wrongly on private land to appeal to the clamping company or land-owners. But there are no regulations governing off-street parking enforcement on private land.

The BPA sets out a Code of Practice for clamping companies which recommends the maximum charge to release a wheel clamp as £125 - but it is not legally binding.

Many people have been surprised to find Citywatch operating for the first time in private car parks in Highams Park and in Cherrydown Avenue, Chingford, where they were instructed to do so by shop owners.

Black cab driver John Dear, of Waltham Way, Chingford, was clamped in Cherrydown Avenue. He says he was forced to pay £465, plus a £23 charge for paying by credit card.

He said: “I feel very strongly that this is unfair. I have never heard of anyone being charged £465.

“In 30 years as a cabbie I have had a fair few parking tickets, but this is the worst I have experienced in the whole of central London. You could get clamped in Mayfair and only pay £200.

“I have heard some people have just left their car there because it is not worth £500.”

Taxi company owner Barry Vanloen said he has spoken to people who were in tears after being clamped outside his cab office in Handsworth Avenue, Highams Park.

He said: “It started four months ago and I spoke to Citywatch and it stopped, but now they have come back again. It is outrageous how much they are charging.”

Mr Herbert said he is going to appeal against the fine.

Citywatch declined to comment.

Somerfield have yet to release a statement on the issue.