Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Cheshire Constabulary have joined forces in an attempt to tackle “rouge” carparks near Manchester Airport.
Over the past six months, the police forces say they have seen an increase in the number of holidaymakers reporting issues relating to meet-and-greet car parks that are operating near Manchester Airport, which is why they have come together this week to launch Operation Cicero – a multi-agency crackdown on these fake firms.
Some of the reports the police forces have received this year include more than 55 incidents at the Lode Hill and Moss Lane car parks alone.
The incidents have ranged from car thefts and criminal damage, to travellers returning home to find that their cars have been driven hundreds, even thousands, of miles away while they’ve been on holiday.
In one case recent case, Cheshire Constabulary said that a customer returned to the UK to find their car bonnet had been stolen, while in another report, a customer returned from their two-month holiday to find their car had been driven more than 3,000 miles while they had been away.
In April alone, around 150 people returned home to find that their car keys were missing and their vehicles were stuck in a boggy field in Styal.
Officers were able to resolve matters and the cars were returned to their rightful owners.
Over the past 6 months we've seen an increase in holidaymakers reporting issues relating to car parks operating near Manchester Airport. Today, with @gmpolice, Trading Standards, @EnvAgency and @HMRCgovuk we've conducted Op Cicero – a crackdown on rogue meet and greet firms.(1/2) pic.twitter.com/YXuQQIS23O
However, the two forces say the companies are having “a hugely detrimental impact on local residents and holidaymakers alike”, and so, more than 50 people from Cheshire Constabulary and Greater Manchester Police, along with immigration officers and staff from Trading Standards, the Environment Agency, and HMRC took place in an operation yesterday and attended the Moss Lane and Lode Hill car parks to help address the problems.
“Holidays are supposed to be the highlight of the family calendar, so the last thing anyone wants is to return home and find that their car has been damaged, or even worse is missing,” explained Inspector Andrew Baker from Cheshire Police.
“While many of these businesses are not illegal, some of the activity taking part on their sites is and some the services they are providing are questionable [so] by working together with our partners, we have all been able to use our specialist skills to identify any offences which are taking place and ensure that the appropriate action is taken.”
He encouraged travellers to “do your research” before going on holiday.
Operation Cicero has been launched after cars were driven thousands of miles away while their owners were on holiday / Credit: Cheshire Constabulary
Inspector Baker continued: “I you are going on holiday and looking to book a parking slot, do your research, choose a reputable company and always book through an official website and don’t just go for the cheapest option.
“Otherwise your car may be touring the UK while you are travelling the world.”
Manchester Airport says it is “grateful” to the police forces and partner agencies for the work they are doing to tackle the issue, and has committed to continuing to “raise awareness of the risks posed by booking airport parking through these unscrupulous companies”.
Jet2 has teamed up with Greggs to announce a new competition where you can win a holiday for the price of a sausage roll.
If you didn’t know by now, ‘Nothing beats a Jet2 Holiday’, and as the British budget airline launches its latest collaboration where you can win a holiday for the same price as a sausage roll, we’d say that’s pretty accurate.
Fancy laying down in the scorching heat and baking yourself just like a trusty Greggs sausage roll? Well it’s a good thing these two iconic companies have teamed up then, because now you can do just that.
Jet2 and Greggs are giving away a three-night all-inclusive holiday to Marbella for the same price as everyone’s flaky-pastry favourite priced at £1.30.
In a video shared to social media, internet personalities Charley Marlowe and Luke Hamnett announced this brand-new offer in an extremely on-brand way.
The video sees the pair taking on very different roles, quite literally, as Hamnett dresses as a sausage roll while Marlowe tries her hand as a cabin crew member.
This exclusive campaign sees you in with the chance of winning a three-night all-inclusive holiday to the luxury Spanish destination, staying at Iberostar Selection Marbella Coral Beach from 2 October – 5 October 2025.
Jet2 and Greggs is offering a luxury holiday for the price of a sausage roll / Credit: Laura Barry (via Unsplash) | Greggs
On top of this, you’ll also get a handful of Jet2 and Greggs co-branded goodies sent to your door before take-off, and there may even be a present or two in your hotel room as well.
I think it’s safe to say there certainly will be carbs in Marbs.
Section 60 ‘stop and search’ powers have been introduced in Manchester following a double stabbing in Piccadilly Gardens last night.
Beginning this morning (Thursday 3 July) and set to be in place for 24 hours, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has authorised a section 60 in the city centre, with powers effective on Ring Road between Great Ancoats Street and Trinity Way, and Irwell Street between Trinity Way and New Quay Street.
Police will have the right to stop and search anyone they have suspicions over within the area during the authorised time frame.
The section 60 powers come under the 1994 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, and after having run for the full 24 hours, is set to expire at 12:53am on Friday 4 July 2025.
The section 60 authority comes after GMP says it received multiple calls of an ‘ongoing disturbance’ where weapons were ‘seen and had potentially been used’ in Piccadilly Gardens, and when officers attended the scene, they found two men – one in his 20s and another in his 30s – both with stab wounds.
#INCIDENT | This morning (Thursday 3 July 2025), we authorised a Section 60 authority in the outlined area of the city centre.
The Section 60 is in place following a double stabbing in Piccadilly Gardens at around 12.50am.
— Manchester City Centre Police (GMP) (@GMPCityCentre) July 3, 2025
Both men remain in hospital at this time – with one receiving ongoing treatment, and the other remaining in critical condition.
No arrests have been made at this stage, and investigations are ongoing.
“The Section 60 authority put in place overnight gives officers additional powers which will be utilised to prevent any further incidents or the carrying of weapons,” commented Chief Inspector Rob MacGregor, from GMP’s City Centre division.
“There will be a significant presence of officers, particularly on foot patrol in the area today.
“If you have any concerns or any information, then please speak to those officers who will reassure and respond to any queries.”
CI MacGregor added that Section 60 powers are ‘crucial’ to preventing potential further offences or instances of violence in the community.
Anyone with information or footage relating to this incident is urged to contact GMP on 101, quoting log 71 of 03/07/2025, or report it via the LiveChat online at www.gmp.police.uk.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.