Police have carried out an operation to crack down on rogue airport parking companies following complaints of cars suffering damage and having unexplained additional mileage.
The day of action, led by Bristol Airport’s police team, targeted unprofessional parking firms which operate away from the site in North Somerset.
Officers attended three sites used by the firms and found no staff present, with offices consisting of insecure vehicles and a caravan containing what appeared to be customers’ car keys.
One driver working on behalf of the unaccredited parking operators was stopped in a customer’s car and has since been reported for driving a motor vehicle without insurance.
Some customers told how they had been abandoned at the airport, having been given various excuses by the parking operators.
The office of an unofficial parking companies located near Bristol Airport. Police carried out an operation following complaints. Credit: PA
Sergeant Danielle Hardaway, of Avon and Somerset Police, said: “People would be horrified if they understood how their vehicles are used and stored, and some have complained about unexplained additional mileage.
“The last thing anyone wants is the worry over whether their car will be returned to them when they return from holiday.
“This crackdown follows a similar, successful operation in June as we continue to receive complaints from people over unaccredited parking operators in the area, and we will keep working with our partners to tackle them.”
She urged people to check the full terms and conditions of any parking operator, to look at review sites and for the British Parking Association’s police-backed Park Mark Safer Parking scheme.
The day of action was led by the airport police team, along with the immigration enforcement team, North Somerset Council, and the British Parking Association.
Avon and Somerset Police said the operation took place in advance of people taking holidays during the Christmas and New Year period.
Police officers and staff helped customers facing difficulties getting to locations where their cars had been stored.
Other travellers were advised by rogue parking operators to book a taxi and they would be reimbursed.
One family was told to take a taxi to a farm, where they were made to wait for an hour, before being instructed to go to another farm.
They waited there for a further two hours before their vehicle was returned to them, police said.
Another family, with two distressed children, was also apparently stranded before airport staff escorted them to a hotel, a force spokesman added.
Councillor Annemieke Waite, cabinet member for planning and environment at North Somerset Council, said: “None of the off-site operators have ever been granted planning permission, and many have never been assessed against planning policy.
“It’s really important for travellers to take a moment to check exactly who they’re booking with and read the terms and conditions carefully. When deals look too good to be true – they usually are.
“If anyone experiences a problem with a parking operator, please report it to the Police or North Somerset Council.”
Police said those looking to book parking at Bristol Airport should use the airport’s official website, or ensure they use a bona fide company with accreditation.
Dave Lees, the chief executive of Bristol Airport, said: “We welcome this latest operation to target rogue operators who cause distress to customers who trust them with their vehicles – many of which are left insecure in fields, roads and laybys to the annoyance of local residents.
“Nuisance parking is a key area of concern for our local communities, so we hope this partnership operation by the police and council to deal with illegal parking operators, helps make a difference and deters this activity.
“Meanwhile, we’d urge customers to respect our neighbours and not park outside houses or drop people off, which causes disturbance, particularly during the early hours of the morning.”
Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know…
