�������t¶��

Zachary Stafford, a professional house sitter based in Los Angeles, tells of getting a wheel clamp — also known as a “Denver boot” — in Ireland recently.

Instead of trying to disable a Barnacle or a wheel clamp, you’re better off taking pictures of the scene and fighting the fine later.

Pc Tony Winter from West Midlands Police, said: "The car was making a deafening noise as it scraped its way along the road. "One person who called police said they thought the car was dragging a wheel clamp with it.

But two decades after the immobilizing wheel clamp all but disappeared from the city’s streets, the device, known as a boot, is coming back.

Though city marshals, sheriffs or the police will still be allowed to tow cars violating certain city parking rules — including cases where a car is blocking traffic or creating another safety hazard — the wheel clamp is expected to predominate.