Rogue parking firms 'Passengers' car keys were left in unattended caravan'

POLICE have carried out an operation on rogue airport parking companies following complaints of cars suffering damage and having unexplained additional mileage.

- Claire HAYHURST

Cars parked bumper to bumper and, left, in a lay-by at unofficial airport parking sites

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.

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.