TWO CLAMPING officers were recovering this week after claiming they were attacked by angry tenants after they swooped on a car illegally parked. And parliamentary hopeful Ajmal Masroor was among three men arrested for criminal damage after he got invol

TWO CLAMPING officers were recovering this week after claiming they were attacked by angry tenants after they swooped on a car "illegally" parked.

And parliamentary hopeful Ajmal Masroor was among three men arrested for criminal damage after he got involved in the row which broke out outside his office in Spitalfields.

Mr Masroor the Liberal Democrat prospective MP for Bethnal Green and Bow claims he spent 11 hours in a police cell and says he will sue the clampers and police who he claims acted "heavy handed and unjust".

City Watch Parking Enforcement claims two of its officers were punched and grabbed around the neck as they fixed clamps onto a car parked in the permit-only Micro Business Park in Greatorex Street near Brick Lane.

One of the officers was believed to be so badly injured that he had to spend Monday night in hospital and has not yet returned to work after still being "shaken up".

A group of 15, including Mr Masroor, confronted the clampers after claiming drivers should be given a 10-minute "grace period" when they leave their cars parked in the business park.

But Mr Masroor claims he phoned the police as a row kicked-off.

Paul Macarthur of City Watch Parking Enforcement told the Advertiser: "The officers were punched and grabbed and there was damage to their vehicle.

"A couple of them approached one of the officers from behind and grabbed him around the neck.

"The officers expect verbal confrontation but actual physical assault is disgusting."

Mr Masroor, Mohammed Mohiaur Rahman owner of the clamped car and his friend Abdul Wode were taken to Bethnal Green police station where they were bailed and are due to return on February 9.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday in which he launched a campaign to "end the injustice of towing cars" in the borough, Mr Masroor said: "What happened was unnecessary. I assisted the police by calling them and I got arrested.

"I think it is time that we unite together and fight against this violation of our basic rights and bring an end to towing cars."

A police spokeswoman said: "Officers attended an incident on the afternoon of Monday in Greatorex Street that had occurred between a clamping enforcement company and local business users.

"As a result three people were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and they have all been bailed to a later date pending further enquiries.