Crackdown On Rogue Airport Parking Operators Near Gatwick

A multi-agency operation has targeted rogue parking operators near Gatwick Airport, uncovering around 150 vehicles being stored in poor conditions despite customers paying for what they believed was premium parking.

The operation, involving Gatwick Airport, West Sussex Trading Standards and Sussex Police, discovered cars parked bumper-to-bumper beside a scrapyard around four miles from the airport.

Some holidaymakers have also returned from trips to find their vehicles left in airport short-stay car parks, resulting in parking fines, while others have reported their cars being stored in fields or on local roads.

One customer, Dani, said police helped her locate her vehicle after a parking company failed to return it following a holiday in Italy.

Although her car was eventually found undamaged, she said it was dirty and items had been removed from the glove box.

Oliver Bedford, Director of Airport Access, Marketing and Commercial Products at Gatwick Airport, described the situation as "shocking" and said the airport is continuing to work with Trading Standards and police to tackle rogue operators.

West Sussex Trading Standards received 130 complaints about airport parking companies serving Gatwick in 2024, up from 73 in 2022.

Passengers are being advised to choose accredited parking providers, look for the ParkMark award from the British Parking Association, check independent reviews and be wary of deals that appear too good to be true.