News / Bristol airport
Families left ‘stranded’ at Bristol Airport by rogue parking operators
Reports of abandoned customers and damaged vehicles with unexplained mileage sparked a police crackdown on rogue parking operators around Bristol Airport.
Avon and Somerset Police said officers visited three car parks and found no staff, insecure vehicles, and a caravan being used as an office containing what appeared to be customers’ car keys.
Some customers said they had been stranded at the airport in North Somerset by parking operators, who had given them various excuses.
A family reported they were told to take a taxi to a farm where they were made to wait an hour before being told to go to another farm, where, after two hours, their vehicle was returned to them.
Another family with two “distressed” children were also stranded before airport staff took them to a hotel.
The action was led by officers covering Bristol Airport and targeted unofficial companies in North Somerset
Police urged people wanting to park at the airport to use the airport’s official website or accredited parking companies.
Sergeant Danielle Hardaway 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.”
Police found a caravan at one parking sites with what appeared to be customers’ keys inside
All photos: Avon & Somerset Police
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