I was devastated after my car was stolen from the mall

A mother is devastated after her car was stolen from a mall and security told her “it happens all the time”.

Rachael Dunn, 43, said she was left “heartbroken” after spending an afternoon shopping at the Trafford Centre, Halifax, only to return to find her car missing.

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The primary school teacher says security at the Trafford Center and Greater Manchester Police “have not yet done anything” to locate the missing car.

Rachael told the Manchester Evening News: “I am heartbroken. We had such a nice day and ended up ruining it. It took us four hours to get home.

“The police don’t mind, the Trafford Center doesn’t mind. I have a feeling that nobody cares and nobody will stop [the thieves] – so customers will come out and be exposed to what we were.

“These criminals have no morals, they don’t care about others.”

Rachel was looking forward to spending a day over the Easter holidays with her husband Simon.

The couple parked their Ford Fiesta ST in the mall’s parking lot, which is near the entrance.

They had “a lovely afternoon” but when they returned to collect their car, they found it had been taken.

Rachel added: “There was nothing close by to raise suspicions.

“But when we came back, our car was gone. We went to security and they said, ‘This happens every other day.’

“Security says they are patrolling the car park but they are clearly doing nothing. I feel really let down by both them and the police.

“If cars are being stolen from the Trafford Center every other day, what has to happen for someone to do something about it?

“It could [spring the Trafford Centre into action] if it affects income [of the shopping centre]that will only happen if people are aware of it [this is happening].”

Rachael said that after reporting the theft, she received a text message from Greater Manchester Police saying “no further investigation”.

She added that she has “no further contact” with the Trafford Centre.

A spokesman for the Trafford Center said: “Our security team takes all customer complaints seriously and will assist Greater Manchester Police with any inquiries where necessary.

“Thanks to our use of ANPR and camera patrols, we have very few car thefts on the ground.”

Greater Manchester Police have been contacted for comment.