Security firm boss says £80 fine was legal
THE new owner of a security business is refuting allegations his firm acted illegitimately in a Truro car park.
Kris, who took over Armtrac Security Services in July, and did not want his full name published for fear of reprisals, said that he had photographic proof that Will Allen, who was given an £80 parking fine at RCP car park on Tabernacle Street, had parked in an Armtrac space.
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New Armtrac Security Services parking signs.
Mr Allen, from Pembrokeshire, claimed it was acting without authority after car park owners RCP Parking Ltd, said it had no affiliation with Armtrac.
However, Kris showed the West Briton a rolling contract with RCP signed in 2009. He also has a contract with a neighbouring office which has ten spaces within the Tabernacle car park patrolled by Armtrac. He said Mr Allen parked in one of these.
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In an apparent U-turn, director of RCP Parking Ltd, Shapoor Naghshineh, admitted it did have a contract with Armtrac.
He said: "We have a contract with them but only if we ask them to clamp vehicles. We haven't instructed them to clamp anyone."
Last week he instructed his agents Miller Commercial to remove Armtrac signs from the car park entrance. He said he would now end the contract.
Kris, who lives in Truro, said he would pursue the £80 charge from Mr Allen, adding: "In Cornwall, no fine is affordable. We're in a double dip recession; people get angry because we're taking their money away.
"We are governed by the British Parking Association. If he (Mr Allen) fails to pay up within 14 days then the charge rises to £100, after that it goes to a debt recovery agency."
His new business had reduced its fines to £60.
"The owners of our car park sites, more than 500 throughout Cornwall, pay us to control, and in many cases, maintain and regulate their sites and that is all we do."
Comments
by penzancelocal
Saturday, December 15 2012, 9:20AM
“jill42 . remember private companies can not issue fines...
armtrac tried court twice before over private parking tickets.. they lost badly both times.
Armtac will not attempt court and the debt collection agency should be ignored - they are NOT bailiffs.
if you have any concerns go to pepipoo.com where people will assist you.”
by Jill42
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 10:22AM
“Armtrac are nothing less than thieving parasites. Our daughter parked with permission at her friend's flat but the friend was unable to find her permit for about 10 to 15 mins.
By the time it was found and displayed in our daughter's car, these bandits had pounced and issued an £80 fine.
She wrote to them explaining what had happened but they ignored it and have now passed it to a debt collection agency who have increased it to £150 and are threatening court action.
Does anyone know if they are likely to do this and if so, how likely are they to win?
Jill.”
by kernewekonan
Friday, October 12 2012, 10:36AM
“how silly the british people have become we put up with anything and everything especially all these money for the boys rackets. a country fit for heroes rings in my ears what a joke. the power to be individuals who have devised and allowed these schemes to go ahead are no more than a load of despots.”
by Randy_Andy
Thursday, October 11 2012, 6:27PM
“Oh, and a quick Google on the new address that Armtrac are now using for their tickets & correspondence (PO Box 154, Penzance TR20 9WD) brings up another local clamping/ticketing outfit called MBC Parking Solutions ! Another bunch of scammers !!”