Family’s holiday shock after leaving car with parking firm
AFAMILY’S dream holiday turned into a nightmare when their home was burgled and their car vanished from a “meetand-greet” car park near Manchester Airport.
The Firth family, from Penrhyn Bay, booked their vehicle with Car Park Manchester on July 31, before they flew off on a two-week holiday to Menorca.
The company, which is not operated by Manchester Airport, offers a meet-and-greet-style service.
Georgina Firth, 41, says they met a company representative at Terminal 2, who inspected their vehicle for any damage before it was driven away to their compound which is “less than one mile away from Manchester Airport”.
When they returned to Manchester on Monday they claim they were told by Car Park Manchester staff their Audi A4 car could not be found.
After a two-hour wait they say a taxi was sent to collect them.
It was a second blow for the school secretary, who had been contacted by her 17-year-old son Nathan three days earlier to say two males had broken into their home. He managed to chase them off.
Mrs Firth told the Daily Post: “The penny dropped when we were told our car had gone as our house keys were in it. My insurance documents were in the car, which had our address on. It all made sense as the police couldn’t understand how the men had got in as there was no forced entry.”
The Daily Post has made repeated requests to Car Park Manchester for a response.
Mrs Firth added: “Two men walked into my son’s bedroom at 10.30pm. Nathan had been lying on his bed listening to music with his headphones on. He challenged them and chased them out of the house, so they didn’t manage to take anything.”
“But it was a terrible shock to discover our Audi had been stolen.
“At first they just said they couldn’t locate it, and after two hours of calls we were offered a taxi home. They later admitted the car had gone.
“What’s even worse is that we have to use our own insurance to pursue this as Car Park Manchester are saying they are only insured when driving the vehicle from the airport drop off/pick up to the compound.”
She added: “This serves as a warning for other holidaymakers who park their cars in offsite sites, that it doesn’t necessarily mean they are safe.”
A North Wales Police spokesman said: “A burglary was reported to us on August 11 in Penrhyn Bay. Two teenage male youths quickly made off when discovered. Inquiries are ongoing. No one has been arrested.”
A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: “We are investigating the theft of a motor vehicle that was stolen between 4am, July 31 to 12am August 13, that was dropped off at Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport.”