Furious holidaymakers return to Gatwick Airport to find spare tyres gone
Holidaymakers have been left fuming after they returned to Gatwick Airport to discover their spare tyres had vanished following a string of thefts.
Travellers claim they have been "left out of pocket" after criminals targeted their cars at the London airport whilst they were away. They explained that they put their trust in Gatwick valet service to look after their vehicles. Sussex Police confirmed they have received eight reports from concerned customers in recent weeks. One victim recalled how a thief snatched a tyre from the back of their £60,000 4x4 - costing them £2,000 to replace.
Sarah Breakspear, from Weymouth, Dorset, said the spare wheel from her vehicle was stolen five weeks ago - leaving her and her husband with a £400 bill. "When we returned to our truck, as we were walking towards it we noticed the chain for the spare tyre was hanging down," she said.
The 42-year-old added: "We trusted the Gatwick valet service with the vehicle, got back late at night and just wanted to get home. Now we’re out of pocket. It put us off from parking there in the future." She says Gatwick did refund the pair for the missing wheel after she complained online.
Sarah noticed a chain dangling from her car (Sarah Breakspear / SWNS)A spokesperson for Sussex Police said: “Sussex Police are aware of eight reports of spare wheels being taken from vehicles in car parks near London Gatwick. Officers are investigating and anyone with information is asked to report it to Sussex Police online, quoting serial 1294 of 09/02.” A London Gatwick spokesperson said: “We take the security of vehicles parked in our car parks very seriously. There are a number of measures in place including barrier controls, number plate recognition cameras and regular security patrols. We are supporting the police investigation into the incidents.”
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Last year, a man warned how he left his car at Gatwick Airport to discover My Parking Limited had crashed his Audi while he was away for his 30th birthday. Vince Aufiero was treated to a surprise getaway to Naples, Italy, by his wife and paid for an external chauffeured car service at the airport. But when they arrived back, they found a huge dent and several scratches on the paintwork.
He slammed the company, named My Parking Limited, and said at the time: "I can't believe a company like that in Gatwick Airport is trading, it blows my mind," Vince told the Mirror. "When my wife saw the damage she said 'Oh my god!' Part of the bumper was hanging off. It was all scuffed. It was like they'd hit a brick wall." A spokesperson for the airport at the time said they have "no relationship with these rogue ‘meet and greet’ parking companies, even though many of them have ‘Gatwick’ in their company name."
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