Southend Airport staff have reported some fairly unusual activities from a local valet parking company which apparently allowed dozens of vehicles parked in their lots to simply disappear, likely driven off by thieves or criminal gangs, without paying or being seen by anyone.
Some witnesses apparently saw some of the crew at Maple Manor hold open one of the barriers at the airport drop-off service allowing many vans and cars to come in and out without going through the usual paper work or paying the required fee.
The evidence was through photos that these witnesses took just a week after an investigation had been started on Southend Airport Car Park (SACP), another parking firm, which is suspected of charging for valet parking but leaving cars in free parking spots right at the airport. These events shed some poor light on what goes on in the parking lots of the airport and at other public places, which are supposed to be places unsuspecting civilians can leave their vehicles without worry.
Now, many are asking how strict the regulations are and if things should change. Alastair Welch is the airport managing director and he said that steps were being taken to deal with the incident, and he accused Maple Manor of damaging airport property during one of their stings. 19 vehicles in all were in the photo evidence but some suspect that the incident goes far further, with many cars and trucks having gone missing, or being allowed to park illegally.
SACP and Maple Manor are the two large parking companies that offer an alternative to parking directly at the Southend Airport parking lot. Both businesses offer pick up services and typically take vehicle to designated parking spots. Witnesses think that Maple Manor crew tried to make a few extra bucks by parking vehicles at the wrong place, leaving more spots open for new clients.
