The Ham & High has reported on high-handed tactics it says are being used by private companies employed to enforce parking regulations.

It broke the news after one of its reporters went undercover to find out what makes traffic wardens tick.

Journalist Luke David signed up for an intensive seven-day training programme to become an APCOA parking attendent in Camden Town.

And after first undergoing a day of interviews and tests, he began the course where he was told he would no longer be known by his name - but by a number.

The trainer told him: "Your number is C1265. When you leave this room you will not be known by your name you will be known by your number so you better learn it!"

Luke was one of 15 new recruits to be shown the ropes by two trainers armed with flipcharts, with the promise of a job as a parking attendant if they passed a test at the end of the course.

Relaying his experience back to readers, Luke said: "Perhaps it's the style of teaching or perhaps it's the subject matter, but after the first two-hours of 'boundary setting' – where the trainers tell you everything except work is a sackable offence – it becomes clear that this management rules with a big stick."

Throughout the day Luke and his fellow parking attendant wannabes were told what they should do and what they shouldn't - and that big brother was watching.

One of the trainers told them: "When I put on the uniform I'm a different man. I'll clamp you, tow you away, I don't care if your mother's dying in hospital.

"I've had people on their knees begging me, saying they haven't got any money and they can't afford to pay. I don't care: the rules are the rules."

The trainers also explained the 'beat patterns', detailing the sections of streets that have to be patrolled, and how often they have to be patrolled, and the 24 penalty charge notice codes which explain each offence and the penalty.

Luke said: "As I take my leave, I am thankful that I don't have to complete the course and graduate to join the army of PAs now flooding the streets of Camden.

"I wonder how many will pass the rigorous training and if I will ever meet them again – hopefully not as motorist and traffic warden."

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