An IT consultant was forced to pay clampers £1,100 despite parking for just three minutes.

Ganesh Prakasam says he was left in ‘complete shock’ on Saturday when clampers from Citywatch Enforcement told him how much he would have to pay.

The 32-year-old of Winchmore Hill was in the process of moving house from Turnpike Lane and had stopped at the post office in Hertford Road.

He says a friend had warned him that clampers patrolled the area so parked in a car park where he claims he could not see the “unclear” signs.

Mr Prakasam returned to his van minutes later to find his rented van clamped and Citywatch Enforcement demanding £1,100.

The charge for a three-minute stay is more than £360 per minute or £6 a second.

He said: “Since Saturday I have been in complete shock - I have hardly slept.

“£1,100 is so much to pay and it’s not an easy amount to suddenly find. I didn’t know what to do.

“I rented the van so I had to pay for it to be released. It is an extortionate amount. My guess would be these clampers just wait there until someone parks and clamp them the moment they leave.”

Mr Prakasam accepts he parked in a private car park but says the area is not clearly marked.

He added: “The notices are near the tree tops and are not very clear at all. Clearly I would never have parked there if I knew it was private and was going to cost me £1,100.”

The Protection of Freedoms Bill, which is currently being passed through Parliament, seeks to outlaw wheel-clamping on private land and is close to becoming law.

Enfield North MP Nick de Bois, who has voted in favour of the law change, said: “The sooner this kind of behaviour is put beyond the law the better. We have received a number of complaints about this company in particular and it has even been raised in Parliament by one of my colleagues. It really is disgraceful.”

Mr Prakasam moved to Enfield from India nearly two years ago. He said before paying £1,100 on his debit card he argued with the clampers for nearly an hour.

However, when it became apparent they were not going to change their minds he decided to pay.

He was told he was being fined £80 for being illegally parked and clamped, a £465 release fee and a further £565 because the clampers had called a tow truck which would now have to be cancelled.

The British Parking Association, which runs an accreditation scheme for private parking firms, recommends a maximum fine of £150.

Citywatch Enforcement is not listed as a member of the scheme.

Mr Prakasam added: “I just couldn’t believe what was happening – I was left with no choice but to pay because I needed to move house.

“I want to warn others this is happening because people probably have no idea they can be charged so much.”

As we went to press Citywatch Enforcement had not returned any of our calls.