The Corporation of Hamilton is to ban all car washing on its property following increasing complaints from motorists that they are being aggressively harassed to have their cars cleaned.

Hamilton Mayor Lawson Mapp told on Thursday that the decision had not been taken lightly, as he appreciated the financial impact the ban would have on the many informal enterprises which have been operating for years throughout the city.

However, he said the Corporation was no longer willing to tolerate the ?frequent anti-social behaviour? which reportedly accompanies the activity.

?We?ve had complaints of verbal threats, pushy, aggressive behaviour and even such disgusting things as men urinating on car doors if the owners refuse to have their cars washed,? he said.

?Some of the people who work out of City Hall car park urinate and defecate in the western portico of our building while I have also seen many of them drawing water out of the City Hall fountain with which to wash the cars.

?Many women have contacted us to say they feel intimidated and threatened by the behaviour of many of these individuals.

?Where is the human decency in that? Collectively within the Corporation, we were just not willing to tolerate the situation anymore.?

The ban is due to come into effect today.

Meanwhile, the radio talk shows have been swarming with rumours all week that the owners of the recently opened Bulls Head Car Wash had lobbied the Corporation to shut down other car wash operations in a cynical attempt to monopolise the market.

But the Riviere family, owners of Bermuda?s first automated car-wash, insisted on Thursday there was absolutely no truth to the allegations.

?I really do need to make clear we had no part in the Corporation?s decision,? said Denise Riviere.

?We are a family-run, private business and we have nothing to do with the Corporation.

?I don?t know where these rumours have come from. There are close to 70,000 people on this Island and plenty of work to go round.

?We are busy enough as it is and we have neither the time nor the resources to service everybody.?