Police investigating an airport 'meet and greet' parking firm whose customers' cars were left trapped in a muddy field have recovered the keys and are beginning the process of reuniting people with their vehicles.
The Manchester Evening News reported earlier today how a number of holidaymakers who booked 'meet and greet' parking online were unable to contact the firm they booked with when they landed back at Manchester Airport on Tuesday and Wednesday. The firms operating the service are not connected to the airport.
They eventually traced their vehicles to a boggy field on Moss Lane in Styal, Cheshire, around two miles from the airport terminals. However, the keys they handed over prior to their departure were missing and many of those with spare keys were still unable to move their cars as they were 'boxed in' by others parked around them.
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Officers from Cheshire Police became involved after several angry motorists complained or reported their cars stolen. Today, the force issued an update saying all the cars they have received complaints about had been located.
They were all parked in the same car park, where there are believed to be around 150 vehicles. However, police were unable to confirm the number of complaints they had received regarding the matter.
Following enquiries, the M.E.N. understands officers have located the keys that were originally handed over and are now working with the company to reunite travellers who have already landed back in the UK with their cars. It is also hoped cars belonging to people who are still outside the UK will be delivered to them at the airport as originally planned.
In an update issued this morning, Cheshire Police said: "On Wednesday, 13 April, Cheshire Police received a number of calls from members of the public reporting that a meet and greet company had failed to return their vehicles.
"The vehicles have all been located on a car park in Styal and officers are currently working closely with the business owners to facilitate their return. We hope to provide a further update on this later today.
"Anyone who has been affected by the incident is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101 quoting IML 1244217. Enquiries in relation to exactly what has taken place remain ongoing."
Affected people told the M..E.N. they had booked using two online comparison sites and were given several different company names in relation to their bookings - however, police say they believe it to be one operation. The firms operating the service are not connected to Manchester Airport, a spokesperson confirmed.
Student Megan Kelly, 20, from Rochdale said the field where her car ended up was 'not the sort of place you'd expect or want your car being parked.'
She said she was facing having to go back to university without her car until she was told she was able to drive it away. Another driver attended the scene with the AA to see if he could have his vehicle lifted out of his current position, but was unsuccessful.
Jacob Williamson, 30, had to get his partner's father to drive 30 miles from West Yorkshire with their spare key and he was only able to drive it away as it was on the end of a row and some gates that were initially locked were then opened.
"Something dodgy is definitely going on. But I just don't really understand what the end game is for the people who are doing this either. All they are doing is causing people huge headaches and disruption which isn't what you want or need when you've just got back from holiday."
Manchester Airport said: “We are disappointed to hear that certain unscrupulous third-party parking operators are misleading customers in this way. These providers are in no way connected to Manchester Airport and we would always recommend customers do their research into a company before handing their keys over.
“As well as Manchester Airport’s own parking products, there are a number of reputable providers in the area and we encourage customers to use initiatives such as Park Mark and the government-backed Buy with Confidence scheme to find one that has undergone a series of detailed checks and is committed to trading fairly.
“We will continue to support the police and our neighbouring councils’ trading standards teams in doing all we can to raise awareness and tackle this issue.”
