Watford Tesco car park's CCTV 'broken for 12 years'

The victim visited the store in Lower High Street, Watford, with her 16-year-old daughter before returning 20 minutes later to find the car part stolen.

Her autistic daughter was left in "floods of tears", but when police asked Tesco for CCTV footage they were reportedly told all the cameras were broken.

She said: “It’s a horrible thing to happen, I’m so cross, you can’t have a store like that with non-operational CCTV."

Read more:

• Cars 'left for weeks' picking up multiple notices AGAIN
• The Horns: 'We're still fighting' amid 'extraordinary' closure response
• ULEZ expansion: Herts County Council gives TfL mixed response

The victim said Tesco staff told her the only operational cameras were an ANPR camera and one belonging to a car wash, which only showed its forecourt, and the Tesco CCTV had not worked for 12 years.

Hertfordshire Constabulary confirmed they were called out to reports of damage to a vehicle in the car park at 1.20pm on October 28 and the catalytic converter was reported stolen.

After enquiries were carried out and evidence was reviewed, police deemed there was not enough evidence to proceed with the case.

The victim continued: “I actually thought the bit I parked in was very safe because of the camera.

“I’ve told so many people not to shop there, especially in the evening and especially not women on their own.

“They have not been particularly empathetic. Customer safety should be paramount.”

The supermarket has confirmed that CCTV was not working.

The car after the catalytic converter was stolen (Image: UGC)

A Tesco spokesperson said: “The safety of customers and colleagues is really important to us and we are sorry that the CCTV in the Watford Extra car park is temporarily out of action.

“Our car park is regularly patrolled by security guards and colleagues are on hand to assist customers returning to their cars after shopping with us.”

Tesco was asked to specifically confirm whether its CCTV had been broken for 12 years as claimed. It did not respond.

Police added any new information will be reviewed and urged anyone with information to call 101 quoting investigation number 41/87401/22.

Have you got a story for us? You can contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

To receive breaking news alerts or newsletters sign up here.

Check out our Watford crime and court Facebook page here.