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Little Britain staff 'threatened' Little Britain staff 'threatened'
(about 1 hour later)
Car clampers at a Little Britain concert at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast were threatened with paramilitary action, a security firm has claimed.Car clampers at a Little Britain concert at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast were threatened with paramilitary action, a security firm has claimed.
Nick Kenwood of ISTM NI said: "One person who was clamped simply said, 'We're away to get the boys, you'd better be gone when we come back'." Nick Kenwood of ISTM NI said: "One person who was clamped simply said, 'We're away to get the boys, you'd better be gone when we come back.'"
He added: "By the very nature of the threat, the implications are obvious."He added: "By the very nature of the threat, the implications are obvious."
Dozens of motorists complained their evening had been ruined when they left the concert to find their cars clamped.Dozens of motorists complained their evening had been ruined when they left the concert to find their cars clamped.
The sold-out show featuring Little Britain stars Matt Lucas and David Walliams was the second of three dates at the arena in Belfast.The sold-out show featuring Little Britain stars Matt Lucas and David Walliams was the second of three dates at the arena in Belfast.
Some clamped motorists said it had been difficult to tell they had parked on a private road at the Belfast venue.Some clamped motorists said it had been difficult to tell they had parked on a private road at the Belfast venue.
The Odyssey Trust said the restrictions were for safety reasons and to manage traffic, and an arena spokesman said the clamped cars were illegally parked.The Odyssey Trust said the restrictions were for safety reasons and to manage traffic, and an arena spokesman said the clamped cars were illegally parked.
In all, 29 motorists received £55 fines, raising a total of £1,595.In all, 29 motorists received £55 fines, raising a total of £1,595.
One man whose vehicle was clamped said he had no option but to leave his car on the road as the car parks were all full when he arrived.One man whose vehicle was clamped said he had no option but to leave his car on the road as the car parks were all full when he arrived.
When cars are parked along double-yellow lines obstructing the flow of pedestrians, that gives us great concern Brian HughesOdyssey Trust "They were coned off when we got there after sitting for about 45 minutes on the M3," he said.When cars are parked along double-yellow lines obstructing the flow of pedestrians, that gives us great concern Brian HughesOdyssey Trust "They were coned off when we got there after sitting for about 45 minutes on the M3," he said.
Another man said: "We've usually parked here when we come down to the Odyssey and we just found out this was introduced on 1 September."Another man said: "We've usually parked here when we come down to the Odyssey and we just found out this was introduced on 1 September."
One woman, who was with her mother who is disabled, said all the disabled spots in the car park had been taken by the time they arrived.One woman, who was with her mother who is disabled, said all the disabled spots in the car park had been taken by the time they arrived.
"I was shocked because my mum is disabled and we had a disabled sign up," she said."I was shocked because my mum is disabled and we had a disabled sign up," she said.
Her mother added: "What's the point of having disabled parking places if you can't get in?"Her mother added: "What's the point of having disabled parking places if you can't get in?"
However, Odyssey Trust operations director Brian Hughes said the clamped cars had been illegally parked.However, Odyssey Trust operations director Brian Hughes said the clamped cars had been illegally parked.
"The road is actually owned by the Harbour Commissioners and the Odyssey Trust lease it - as such, we have responsibility for maintaining it," he said."The road is actually owned by the Harbour Commissioners and the Odyssey Trust lease it - as such, we have responsibility for maintaining it," he said.
"It is our responsibility to ensure that people are safe when using the road, and when cars are parked along double-yellow lines obstructing the flow of pedestrians, that gives us great concern.""It is our responsibility to ensure that people are safe when using the road, and when cars are parked along double-yellow lines obstructing the flow of pedestrians, that gives us great concern."
Mr Hughes said that various electronic signs are erected on roads near the arena advising motorists to use alternative parking if the car park is nearly full.Mr Hughes said that various electronic signs are erected on roads near the arena advising motorists to use alternative parking if the car park is nearly full.
He said if the disabled woman had been displaying a sticker, her car should not have been clamped.He said if the disabled woman had been displaying a sticker, her car should not have been clamped.