A CAR clamping firm has been threatened with an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) after it targeted a woman and her four-year-old granddaughter.

A Hampshire council boss has vowed to take action that could put Southampton based Security International out of business if they behave unfairly.

Fareham Council leader Sean Woodward issued his warning after motorist Fiona Stevenson was hit with a £130 ticket outside her daughter's home.

She had left the vehicle to return a visitor's permit to her daughter, who was inside the house.

Security International's managing director has since agreed to drop the matter after they were contacted by the Daily Echo.

Mrs Stevenson, of Sarisbury Green, had dropped her daughter Kirsty Eggleton off at home in Queens Road, Fareham, when her Ford Fiesta was clamped.

She removed the visitor's permit when she was due to leave, took it back to her daughter and returned three minutes later to find her car clamped and a bill for £130.

Mrs Stevenson had the clamp removed herself and took it home with her. She claims the clamper was abusive and frightened her four-year-old granddaughter Chloe.

She said: "I was absolutely livid. I'd been left with no money and no way of getting me and Chloe home.

"He was watching us, so he knew I had a visitor's permit. They're bullies. The sort of money they wanted was what I live on for a week."

Security International patrols the residents' parking scheme on behalf of landlords Portsmouth Housing Association.

Now Councillor Woodward has promised action if problems persist.

He is so incensed that he is calling bosses at the association to terminate their contract.

Cllr Woodward said: "It's a disgrace. I've written to Portsmouth Housing Association asking them to dispense with the services of that company. I don't believe they behave fairly.

"If not, we may have to consider an ASBO which could put them out of business." The housing association has launched an inquiry.

Portsmouth Housing Association's area housing manager John Waterfield said: "This scheme was set up at the request of the residents and most of the time it works well. There are occasional problems which we will sort out."

Clive Deacon, owner of Security International, has now agreed not to pursue the matter, if the clamp is returned to a police station.

He said: "I've been studying the case and certain allegations have been made, but the patrol officer is on long-term sickness.

"I think the best course of action is to not pursue the matter if it's possible for us to recover our clamp."

Security International has already attracted dozens of complaints from angry motorists across Hampshire.

The Daily Echo has previously reported how its patrol officers clamped a midwife who was rushing to give pain relief to a woman in labour and a social worker meeting a blind colleague at a ferry terminal.