Cowboy car washers operating in city car parks have been slammed by a Hamilton City boss following a series of complaints from car owners.

And Corporation secretary Roger Sherratt is warning drivers not to hand over the keys to their vehicles after one cleaner crashed a car causing thousands of dollars of damage.

"For many years we have had men washing cars in the car park and sometimes they can cause problems,'' Mr. Sherratt said. "From time to time we have complaints about aggressive car washers, particularly from women. Sometimes I have had to go out and give personal warnings.

"We have said in the past not to give car washers keys and we have also advised car washers that they should never take cars. We are concerned, very concerned, if people are giving the keys to people.

"This is a community problem and we want to make sure that, if people do have their cars washed, they do so at their own risk. People should never part with their keys and also never leave valuables in their cars.

"They should also never hand over any money before their cars are washed. We have had cases where someone has given $20 to get their cars washed and then complained when they're not satisfied with the job.'' Mr. Sherratt's warning came following an incident in which a luxury vehicle was wrecked after being taken by a cleaner without the owner's consent.

The Royal Gazette understands that earlier this month one car cleaner crashed a car he had been asked to clean after taking it for a joyride, causing thousands of dollars worth of damage. Police are now believed to be investigating the incident.

But Mr. Sherrat was keen to stress that many of the city's car cleaners did an excellent job and were very popular.

And he added that they also provided an excellent service to the community, making car parks safer places by their presence.

"Because they are there people aren't going to be snooping around, crime is down and the whole community benefits.

"But we just want to make sure that, when people do have their car washed, they do so at their own risk.'' Earlier this year The Royal Gazette revealed how many women were too frightened to use the City Hall car park because of constant pestering from one particular car cleaner.

Mr. Sherratt said that, although technically illegal, car washing in public car parks had been going on for years.