ONE often reads in The Citizen a heart-rending letter condemning the cruel and bullying excesses of Blackpool's wheel clampers. We learn of a visitor's holiday being ruined by the unbridled behaviour of this menace which stalks the streets of the resort.

So what kind of people are they who are permitted to conduct themselves in such a fashion? The question is answered by a recent event.

A Blackpool clamper was convicted in the Crown Court of causing grievous bodily harm to a 14-year-old girl. The attack included stamping on her face when she was on the ground. The court heard too that the prime targets of the clampers are "pensioners and disabled drivers."

Because they are allowed to be a law unto themselves they have now expanded their range of victims to choosing the drivers of cars which are parked on public roads and quite within the law.

I know this to be so from my own experience and as a registered disabled person. From the car's registration number they identify the driver first as a Blackpool resident.

"We know you are local and we know where you live," the driver is menacingly told. They then specify the address. "Pay up! It's £65. If you don't we'll tow it away and it will cost £140 to release."

They operate in pairs and they're big brutes. As it has happened to me it's reasonable to assume that I am not alone and others like me have remained silent on the incident.

Well, we already know what they do to schoolgirls. Who wants to be not only brave but dead brave? They rely on inflicting fear and terror and the police are unable to act.

Unless they find a victim who will testify in court there can be no conviction for the serious crime of extortion. It just goes on and on and our town gets progressively worse.

Just after the war as a small child I used to come to Blackpool on day trips. I was always envious of those who lived here. I thought the town was marvellous and resolved to move here when I was grown up. I did so. I'm now less sure I made the right move.

Name & address supplied.