Clamping Down on News

Last word on the October 22 edition of the Herald.

In addition to the news that pedestrians who fail to look before they cross a road may be hit by cars, page 6 carries a full page article on Able Securities, a car park management company. ‘Dougie clamps down on illegal parkers’ explains how Mr. Mooring (Dougie) helps to solve parking problems.

The article appears to be an attempt to set the record straight over an unsavoury incident which saw Mr. Mooring ‘hit the headlines in September after clamping disabled Roy Jones, 68, in Folkestone.’

According to yourdover (I am sure this was in the Shepway edition but cannot find it - http://www.yourdover.co.uk/kent-news/Veteran-demands-refund-from-clamping-firm-newsinkent28336.aspx?news=local) Able securities clamped Mr Jones’ car despite a disabled badge being displayed. The clamper (unnamed in the article) recommended that Mr Jones walk home. Mr Jones has two false legs.

The article ends ‘despite repeated attempts, yourdover was unable to get a response from the proprietor of Able Securities.’

In the Herald, Mr. Mooring responds “The newspaper reports didn’t tell the full story. Mr Jones did not display his disabled permit. Disabled people are not entitled to park wherever they like. And I did not tell him to walk home.”

Mr Mooring also makes the point that he has a Security Industry Authority (SIA )License. The SIA clearly state (http://www.the-sia.org.uk/home/licensing/vehicle_immobilising) that a car displaying a disabled badge must not be clamped / blocked / towed.

It is Mr. Mooring’s word against Mr. Jones on the issue of whether the badge was displayed. However, how hard can it be upon meeting a man with two prosthetic legs to understand that he is disabled?

The tone of the article is also slightly odd, describing Mr Mooring as ‘wearing black boots and combats that would not look out of place in a paramilitary. His head is shaven and piercings adorn his face.

‘From a distance he looks absolutely terrifying.

‘What is disarming … is that Dougie is actually a placid chap who can whip on a car clamp faster than most in his game and extract £125 cash or by card … with a smile on his face.’

Hardly a ringing endorsement of Mr Mooring. Sounds more bully boy than civic guardian. Perhaps the clearest example of Mr Mooring's approach and appearance is shown half way through the article, where the use of the name Dougie changes to Mr Mooring.

Able Securities provides services to Kent Regional News and Media. Kent Regional News and Media owns the Herald. The Herald did not carry the story about Mr. Jones.