A plasterer who lost £5,000 worth of high-tech equipment after his van was broken into in Gulliver's World car park was shocked to discover the attraction has no CCTV.
Sam Downie, from New Brighton, visited the Warrington amusement park with his family to celebrate his 25th birthday on Saturday, February 11. But when he returned to his van at around 3.30pm, he found a small hole had been drilled into the rear door, and that the lock had been opened from the inside.
But when he told Gulliver's World staff what had happened, they told him that they could not provide CCTV, as the car park was not covered.
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Sam said: "The director of the park came out and told me they haven't got CCTV. There's no CCTV in the car park of beyond the front entrace - anything beyond that isn't covered. It's a theme park; you should have cameras in the car park. But there's no footage. There's nothing.
"Apparently it's happened lots of times, and yet nothing is being done. As well as that, the director said they'd had a report of some suspicious men hanging around cars that day, and they hadn't sent anyone to check"
But Gulliver's World resort director Craig Clews defended the park's position.
He said: “We are aware of the unfortunate incident of a customer’s car being broken into in our car park. We spoke with the customer who confirmed that they were aware of the signage throughout our car park stating that parking is at the customer’s own risk, as this area is not covered by CCTV. Our understanding is that the customer reported the crime to the police.”
Sam, a dad of one, said: "As soon as we came out to the car park, I have gone to the back of my van and I noticed, because it's brand new, something that looked like a mark. As I got closer I saw it was a hole.
"They have drilled a hole the size of a straw, and have put something in to spring the lock, and have got all my tools out.
"I've only been in business about nine months and I've worked hard to save up. Everything I've bought has been with my own cash, no finance, no credit, all my own money which I've worked hard for.
"I feel upset and angry. I've got a daughter to provide for, and the lad who works for me has a family to provide for as well. It doesn't just affect me."
He added: "The car park had broken glass on the floor, like someone's car window had been smashed. (The management) must know it happens, so why not do something about it? It's a big place. It's not like they haven't got the funds for it."
He said he had borrowed some second-hand tools from family and friends to allow him to carry on working while he saves up to replace what he lost. A fundraiser to help him on his way has been set up by a family friend.
A Cheshire police spokesman said: "At 3.40pm on February 11, police were called to reports of a theft at Gulliver's World, Warrington. The caller reported that sometime between 10am and 3.30pm an unknown person had gained entry into their van and stolen a number of power tools. There were no reports of any witnesses or CCTV footage."
Anyone with any information in relation to the incident is asked to call Cheshire Police on 101, or visit www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us quoting IML-1476854.
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