IT has been a long time in coming, but new laws come into force at the beginning of next month to crack down on cowboy clampers.

Over the years, this paper like most others, has carried plenty of stories about these private enforcers, some of whom have clearly operated on the edge of the law, if not in breach of it.

From October 1, it will be a criminal offence to clamp on private land as a result of the Protection of Freedoms Act.

As Bournemouth East MP, Tobias Ellwood, says today, in some areas the activities of clampers amounted to little more than a racket, with the elderly, young mums with children or those with little cash to spare being among the victims.

Some operators have not just been protecting property, but using their contracts as a licence to print money.

The new law is welcome.

But it’s a shame that Parliament did not get its act together years ago.