Clamping firm bosses arrested over alleged conspiracy to commit blackmail

Four people who are believed to be the bosses of a Birmingham car clamping firm have been arrested at their homes in Moseley and Tyseley. The woman and three men of the National Parking Control company, Digbeth have been taken into custody on suspicion of conspiracy to commit blackmail. Police have also arrested the company owner Gary Southall, aged 48, and his partner Victoria Charlton at a terrace house in Heather Dale, Moseley. A white van was also being investigated as evidence. Mr Wayne Southall, Gary Southall’s brother, was also arrested Tyseley. A fourth man, Phil Bennett, was arrested at an address in South Yardley as part of the same operation.

Officers entered the company’s premises in Liverpool Street, Digbeth where they seized a tow truck, clamping equipment and searched a cabin office. Inside the compound, there were several old cars ringed by barbed wire.

Previously Mr Gary Southall had been banned from trading by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) who revoked Mr Southall’s licence to operate as a wheel clamper.  He previously attempted to pay a £1,300 legal bill to Trading Standards officers with a shopping trolley of 1p pieces. The 130,000 pennies were refused and the debt reported to the SIA.