At least six people had their vehicles clamped as the first day of a crackdown on illegal parkers sparked a mixed reaction from motorists yesterday.

Most of the victims were drivers who left their cars without tickets at Bull's Head car park, according to clampers Safeguard Security, who were called in for the project by the Corporation of Hamilton.

Some motorists speaking to The Royal Gazette said the new practice was unfair and could lead to angry exchanges on car parks, while others argued it was a good way of encouraging people to park legally.

Dieter Friehe, 33, from Southampton, said: "The Corporation has really gone to the max with their new laws and regulations.

"Some people are going to get angry. A lot of people are going to get mad if they see that their car has been clamped.

"I've seen people getting mad if someone does the slightest thing to their cars. What are they going to do if they see their car is clamped?"

Philip Bend, 40, from Pembroke, said: "Clamping is ridiculous. What happens if you are running late or something happens out of your control and you don't put a ticket on your car?

"A lot of people in Bermuda do a lot of crazy stuff when it comes to driving.

"And if someone parks illegally they are going to have to ring up these people because they have clamped your car?"

Any four-wheeled vehicle that does not have a valid parking permit voucher in the city's parking lots can be clamped.

Vehicle owners will also be fined $100 and they will only be able to get their cars back after calling Safeguard between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Julie Weber, 30, from Hamilton Parish, said the fine was too steep.

"I don't agree with it. I don't see too much bad parking," she said. "I worked in one of the shops in Front Street. We used to lose a lot business because people were running back to their cars because the time on their ticket was running out.

"I've never been clamped, but I've been towed before in Canada and it wasn't fun."

Kendra Earls, 37, from Southampton, did not realise clamping had been introduced.

She said: "That's wrong, it's horrible. They shouldn't be clamping cars. I better go now otherwise I might get a ticket."

Visitors Chris and Jo Millar, from England, said clamping was a good idea and it worked well in their own country.

"If people are parking illegally, it's probably a good idea to clamp them," said Mr. Millar.

"They do it in England. All you have to do it get nailed once and you know better for the next time."

"It works in England it could work here too," said his wife.

Robert Tucker, 21, from Southampton, said the rule-makers needed a more laid back attitude.

"This is an island, we just need to relax, man," he said. "Maybe if there was more parking in town we wouldn't have people parking illegally."

His companion Abby Moore, 26, from Paget, said: "I don't know what difference it will make — I'm indifferent."

One elderly woman said she had seen clamping at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

"It works there. I think it's a good idea," she said.

Safeguard president Paul Field said he understood the six clamping victims had accepted their fates without a fuss.

"Usually people realise they have taken a liberty by parking illegally," he said.

He stressed the aim of the initiative was not to target people who simply overstayed their length of time by a few minutes.

"The main place is the Bull's Head," he added. "A lot of people go in, they go to the top floor and don't bother getting a ticket – just park and go."