Holidaying couple's anger after thieves strike at hotel 'regularly targeted by known criminals'

A woman says a surprise spa retreat booked for her 40th birthday was ruined when her partner's van was broken into.

Helen Broadley, 40, says partner Robert Vasey, 40, a gardener, booked the surprise stay at the Mercure Norton Grange Spa hotel in Rochdale. She says they were very excited - but their enjoyment was marred when thieves broke into Robert's vehicle. She says: "My partner had booked a surprise spa retreat for my 40th which we were very excited about on June 18. We parked it at the hotel and went in to enjoy our stay.

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"The following morning when we got up, we went out to put something in the van and it had been vandalised." Helen, a dog walker, says luckily Robert had not left much overnight in the van as he had emptied it the day before - but the lock was broken and some expensive tools had been taken.

She also said the door may have to be replaced and the casing of the rear light was damaged. Rob said the tools are "desirable" and added: "As I am a gardener, this is peak time for contracts and I am losing work."

Helen says: "The police have confirmed this hotel is in a high crime area and is regularly targeted by known criminals yet the CCTV in the hotel has yet to provide decent enough evidence that helps and protects its customers. My boyfriend has made a complaint directly with the hotel who have confirmed they are well aware of the crime in the area."

Helen, who lives in Market Weighton, near York added: "A man parked next to us, a member at the gym and spa there, had advised that his previous car had been stolen and as a result downgraded his to make it less appealing."

Helen says despite the hotel offering a