The DVLA clamp-down is aimed at car owners that haven’t got their cars properly taxed and over 30 vehicles have been clamped here since Sunday. 

Some of the vehicles clamped may have been considered ‘off the road’ and unused with their owners believing that they didn’t need to be taxed.

 However, the law states that all untaxed cars require Statutory Off the Road Notice (SORN) certification. 

Speaking to the Herald, Councillor Sheamus Greene said; “Actions like this have a time and a place, not everyone has access to private parking. 

“With so much crime happening around Fermanagh, this should be the last crack-down to think about. Local burglaries have played havoc recently, and focuses need to be pointed to more concerning matters.

On the timing of the operation, Cllr Greene said, “Christmas is tough enough for families without fines being served and cars being clamped, it just causes unnecessary stress to people who aren’t fully aware of the correct legalities of a vehicle needing to be SORN. 

“In my opinion it is exploitative and totally scrooge-like for this time of year,” he said.

A spokesman from the DVLA said; “We don’t need to spot a vehicle on the road to take enforcement action but if we do, wheel clamping is an effective way to make sure that an untaxed vehicle is not driven on the road. 

“Where we clamp an untaxed vehicle the motorist will pay a release fee of £100 – with a surety fee of £160,” he pointed out.

Cllr Greene has warned people on social media about cars being clamped across the county. 

He said, “if your car isn’t being used, send in a SORN notification to DVLA and make sure to park it on private property or these people will clamp it. 

“It would appear that they are doing everything in their power to keep the public in the dark, by issuing out heavy fines without empathy for people’s financial situations at this time of year.”