Alton Towers Theft

The green and red · 28-06-2014 10:01pm #1

A group of friends and I went on a trip to Alton Towers in mid May, we were 8 in number. We flew from Dublin on an early flight and got a train out to Alton towers thus having all of our possessions with us. On entering the park, we used the electronic lockers to store said possessions.

On returning to the lockers to collect our bags, one of the lockers had been opened and the contents had been removed. A combination of electronics, clothes and passports were missing. A number of our party were left without any money or documentation. After lengthly discussions with on site employees, and having reported the matter to the police we received 80 pounds as a gesture of good will and to help us get back to Manchester where we were spending the night, we received assurance that this was by no means a disclaimer and would have no further implications.

Having spent the following day trying to get us all home we had no time to return to the park. We now found ourselves being ignored by Alton Towers having sent numerous emails and tried calling various numbers. We are uncertain as to the level of compensation which we are due or if we are due any at all, and subsequently how we would get this?

Thank you

amdublin · 28-06-2014 10:12pm

I have no legal insight whatsoever but don't those lockers normally have some kind of sign saying you use it at your own peril etc

The green and red · 28-06-2014 10:35pm

There was no sign there, thats one of the first things we checked. A little reading went on to reveal that most of those disclaimers are unlawful and a business was sued for putting one up on the wall

Fred Swanson · 29-06-2014 12:40am

This post has been deleted.

The green and red · 29-06-2014 1:15am

we were trying to avoid the hiring of a solicitor as the legal fees would outweigh the value of our possessions, are you aware of any free legal service which we could avail of?

Gasherbraun · 29-06-2014 1:22am

The green and red wrote: »

we were trying to avoid the hiring of a solicitor as the legal fees would outweigh the value of our possessions, are you aware of any free legal service which we could avail of?

Legal aid is available free in the UK to UK citizens who cannot afford to employ a solicitor. It applies more in criminal cases and what you are talking about sounds more like a civil matter between yourselves and Alton Towers.

As a side issue was there no CCTV footage? Would have thought an area like this would have been monitored for the very reasons you have experienced.

The green and red · 29-06-2014 1:32am

Gasherbraun wrote: »

Legal aid is available free in the UK to UK citizens who cannot afford to employ a solicitor. It applies more in criminal cases and what you are talking about sounds more like a civil matter between yourselves and Alton Towers.

As a side issue was there no CCTV footage? Would have thought an area like this would have been monitored for the very reasons you have experienced.

There was CCTV which is now in the hands of the police dealing with the matter, yet they have given us the impression that there is very little chance of the thieves being recognised and subsequently charged.

Zambia · 29-06-2014 5:23am

Op from your posts.

Lockers were provided in an area with CCTV. You used the lockers and one was broken into and goods taken. CCTV was provided to police who are looking into the theft.

What further steps could Alton towers have taken to protect your goods? A law suit assumes that the defendant has in some way been negligent?

What is the negligence you see?

Bepolite · 29-06-2014 10:25am

OP - this is something that can be claimed for on your travel insurance, this would be the most efficient way to recoup your loss.

If you want legal advice for free, contact FLAC. You might be lucky enough to get someone familair with the English position on the matter it is likely to be very similar, if not identical, to the Irish position.

A quick note on FLAC though, its under staffed and over subscribed and designed to help out people in distress due to their financial and legal circumstances. If you're off on a trip with electroics etc. to Alton Towers, you may or may not be within their remit. I'm not trying to have a go at you but bear in mind if it's a cost/benefit analysis you are entering into rather than a economic need, then bear in mind the demand on their services.

The green and red · 29-06-2014 6:30pm

Thank you for your replies. I realise that our case would pale in significance when compared to others.

Zambia, it is our thinking that the liability rests at the feet of Alton Towers as we essentially entered into a contract with them when we paid for the service, which was not provided as our possessions were not kept safe as was expected

Zambia · 29-06-2014 9:13pm

The green and red wrote: »

Thank you for your replies. I realise that our case would pale in significance when compared to others.

Zambia, it is our thinking that the liability rests at the feet of Alton Towers as we essentially entered into a contract with them when we paid for the service, which was not provided as our possessions were not kept safe as was expected

.

There is the thinking you paid for a locker which they provided. It's not really within their power to guarantee your goods within.

I mean have you considered naming the makers of the lockers as liable to?

Anyway the only way to resolve your matter is to consult a uk solicitor.

Alton Towers Theft

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