More than 130 keys and four cars STOLEN from Manchester Airport meet and greet – and firm admits 50 holidaying families haven’t been told
Criminal gang suspected of carrying out raid before returning in cover of darkness to make off with vehicles
MORE than 130 car keys and four vehicles have been stolen following a major break-in at an airport parking firm.
Bosses at Car Park Manchester - just one mile from the city’s airport - admitted that up to 50 holidaying families still hadn’t been told so as not to “ruin their trips”.
Director Sultan Khan says a criminal gang was behind the break-in at the firm’s depot in Altrincham, Greater Manchester earlier this month.
He said: “Seven weeks ago an organised crime gang came into this area and started nicking car keys.
“On August 17 they used a special tool and got through three doors to steal more than 100 keys.
“Thieves have been on site every night since trying to steal cars.”
He added: “We are extremely sorry for the distress caused to our customers by this criminal gang’s activities.
“However, we have not spared any expense to get our customers safely home and have paid for any costs they have incurred.
“We are fully insured and we are probably the most secure independent car park at Manchester Airport.
“But we are not geared up for organised criminal gangs, who have been planning this for months.”
Khan said he believed other companies had also been targeted by a criminal gang, who then returned to steal cars.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed they are investigating the theft of the keys and four cars from the Davenport Green Hall site in Altrincham.
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A 21-year-old man arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft and drink-driving has been bailed pending further enquiries.
Car Park Manchester, also known as Manchester Car Park, is not affiliated with Manchester Airport and currently advertises a meet and greet service and a week of parking for £59.50.
Meanwhile Cheshire police confirmed that four Mercedes - including a £45,000 AMG have gone missing from a car park, understood to be used by another firm, in Styal, Cheshire.
'HOW DO YOU LOSE A CAR?': Kate Gerrard
KATE Gerrard, 35, has lost her nearly-new £21,000 Golf R sport car after leaving it with Car Park Manchester for £65 for a week.
She landed from a family holiday in Turkey on August 20 to be told by the firm they were bringing her car.
Kate said that at first, staff said the key was missing.
But when she returned with a spare, she was told the car was not there.
Kate said: “I had to go back and walk around their car lot in the woods clicking my key, but my car didn’t turn up.
“After over an hour they said it must have been stolen. How do you lose a car and not know?”
A week of secure parking at Manchester Airport is currently advertised for between £102 and £199, depending on the terminal a passenger is travelling from.
A Manchester Airport spokesman said: “We would like to remind passengers that the airport offers a wide range of secure, official car parking facilities, and is also well connected via public transport.
“Anyone with any doubts about their car parking can verify it with our customer services team.”
'They lost my £14,500 car'
LEANNE Wadsworth has had her £14,500 Renault Clio stolen.
She said firm bosses initially said it was ‘lost’ - but said it had been stolen a day later.
The emergency medicine technician returned to Manchester on July 28 from an 11-night break in Greece with partner Ashley Baud and their two children Oliver, 11, and Mason, nine.
When they went to collect their car, they were told it was missing.
Leanne, from Huddersfield, said: “Straight away the staff member said ‘do you drive a white Clio?’ and said they’d call me back.
“After 30 minutes a lady called and said they’d lost my car.”
Leanne said the firm paid for the family to take a taxi home and promised to deliver the car the next day when they found it.
They had to break into their home because their house keys were locked in the glove box.
“At 3pm the next day they said they’d deliver the car later, but nobody came,” Leanne said.
“Then they called to say it had been stolen.
“They told me it had been moved to an area of no CCTV so it wasn’t covered.
“I’m really annoyed, especially after an amazing holiday.”
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