COLD hearted clampers were caught out after they clamped a Dial A Ride van while the driver was doing a risk assessment in a disabled person’s home.

The two men, who work for Whites Car Park Solutions, even called the police after they were photographed removing the clamp moments later.

But when the Adver asked about the clamping neither of the men were willing to speak about the incident that happened at Cricklade Court, the site behind the King’s Head.

The incident comes months after clampers were caught by the Adver immobilising a Swindon Council community meals van nearby.

Evelyn Ryder, director of Dial A Ride – a voluntary organisation which provides transport for the disabled – said the men were demanding £180 from her and the vehicle’s driver.

She said: “We were within minutes of being towed, which would have resulted in a £250 bill.

“The man who was dealing with us was very big and very intimidating as well as rude – he knew he was speaking to a charity that doesn’t have that kind of money but he didn’t care.

“He kept repeating his demands of £180 cash, claiming the council had told him to do it’ “I know we are not very popular with the council right now but I don’t think they would do that.

“This was cold-hearted and an overreaction with a complete lack of understanding of what we do, all of our clients are disabled.

“I would like to thank the Adver because if it wasn’t for you the clamp may have never been removed.”

The landlady of Arkell’s owned Kings, Patricia Piper said that she had hired the men to guard the car park because of repeat offenders were constantly parking up illegally.

She said: “The car park is for my guests and people who come to eat, I am asking people not to abuse it.

“I have asked these clampers to come and clear my car park. They will remain here.

“In future I would ask any charity to come here and say what they are doing so as not to have future problems.”

And although Mrs Piper told the Adver she had not instructed the company to clamp charity vehicles, she would suggest that they ceased the practice, saying: “I will suggest that to them.”

A spokeswoman for Arkell’s, which owns the alleyway in question, said: “Arkell’s does not condone the use of clamps but the landlords of the King’s Arms are self-employed tenants who make their own business decisions.

“The brewery, however, will be speaking to the landlords.”

A spokesman for Swindon Council said: “Cricklade Court is a private road so the council is not responsible for traffic enforcement.

”The council’s parking enforcement team has never had any dealings with Whites Car Park Solutions.”

Only months ago the council performed a U-turn on proposals to cut £50,000 from Dial A Ride’s £331,000 funding.