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Drivers have been warned to be vigilant about rogue airport parking companies after police launched a crackdown in North Somerset. Bristol Airport's police team, immigration enforcement staff, North Somerset Council, and the British Parking Association, led a day of action that targeted "unprofessional parking firms" which operate away from the airport site, Avon and Somerset police said.

The operation followed complaints that cars continue to be damaged or have unexplained additional mileage after using unofficial parking companies located near Bristol Airport, police said. According to the force, officers attended three sites used by the firms and found no staff there, with "offices" consisting of insecure vehicles and a caravan, which it said contained what appeared to be customers' car keys.

Some customers claimed they had been abandoned at the airport, having been given various excuses by the parking operators, police said in a press release. The operation took place ahead of people setting off for their holidays during the Christmas and New Year period.

Police officers and staff assisted customers who were struggling to reach locations where their cars had been stored, the force added. Other travellers were advised by parking operators to book a taxi and told they would be reimbursed, police said.

One family was told to take a taxi to a farm, where they were made to wait for an hour, they added. They were then instructed to go to another farm where they waited for a further two hours before their vehicle was returned to them, Avon and Somerset Police said.

Sergeant Danielle Hardaway said: "People would be horrified if they understood how their vehicles are used and stored, and some have complained about unexplained additional mileage.

"The last thing anyone wants is the worry over whether their car will be returned to them when they return from holiday. This crackdown follows a similar, successful operation in June as we continue to receive complaints from people over unaccredited parking operators in the area, and we will keep working with our partners to tackle them.

"We urge everybody to make sure they check the full terms and conditions of any parking operator, to check review sites for other peoples' experiences, and to look for the British Parking Association's police-backed Park Mark Safer Parking scheme, so they have the confidence they are booking with an accredited company."

Councillor Annemieke Waite, cabinet member for planning and environment at North Somerset Council, said: "None of the off-site operators have ever been granted planning permission, and many have never been assessed against planning policy.

"It's really important for travellers to take a moment to check exactly who they're booking with and read the terms and conditions carefully. When deals look too good to be true - they usually are.

"If anyone experiences a problem with a parking operator, please report it to the Police or North Somerset Council."

People looking to park at Bristol Airport should use the airport's official website, or ensure they use a bona fide company with accreditation, the force said.

Dave Lees, the CEO of Bristol Airport, said: "We welcome this latest operation to target rogue operators who cause distress to customers who trust them with their vehicles - many of which are left insecure in fields, roads and laybys to the annoyance of local residents.

"Nuisance parking is a key area of concern for our local communities, so we hope this partnership operation by the police and council to deal with illegal parking operators, helps make a difference and deters this activity.

Meanwhile, he also urged customers to "respect our neighbours and not park outside houses or drop people off, which causes disturbance, particularly during the early hours of the morning".

He added that all of the airport car parks are equipped with CCTV and are staffed or patrolled at all times.