Key Aspects:
- Authorities have recovered 7 out of the 17 cars stolen from a secure parking facility near the Port of Southampton earlier this month.
- The makes, models, ages, and conditions of the recovered vehicles have not been released as the investigation is continuing.
- Southampton is the UK’s busiest cruise port, but the port itself is not involved with the impacted parking facility, which is independently operated.
Just over two weeks after a massive theft of 17 cars from what was to have been a secure parking facility service the Southampton Cruise Terminal, seven of the stolen vehicles have now been recovered.
According to the Daily Echo, local authorities have confirmed the recovery, noting that the cars include various makes, models, and ages.
The recovered vehicles were not all found together, but have been located at different intervals since the initial theft overnight on September 9-10. The seventh car was just recovered on Friday, September 26.
No information about the condition of the vehicles, including whether or not any of them have sustained significant damage or if any contents were removed, has been released. Each vehicle will surely undergo detailed forensic investigation to gather evidence in the hopes of tracking down the thieves.
The parking facility where the cars were removed from is the lot on First Avenue in Millbrook, belonging to Southampton Cruise Parking Services. It is just a 5-minute drive from the cruise terminals.
The company’s website boasts that they are “the only ‘indoor & secure’ parking facility at Southampton docks” and that this provides “peace of mind your car is in safe hands whilst you enjoy your holiday.” Cars are parked indoors at the facility’s warehouse.
The company is working closely with authorities to support those impacted and to strengthen their security features to minimize any future risks.
As is common for public parking lots and cruise terminal parking facilities, leaving one’s vehicle is always at the traveler’s risk. Despite on-site security features, including cameras, 24-hour security, and fencing, the company is not responsible for loss, damage, or theft.
While the investigation of this massive theft is far from complete, authorities have indicated an organized crime ring may be responsible for the act.
Port officials are planning extra patrols and increased surveillance of parking facilities, including consultations with outside firms for measures to improve security.
Southampton is the busiest passenger cruise terminal in the UK. More than three million passengers passed through the port in 2024, and preliminary numbers indicate even more guests for the port in 2025.
Just in September, more than 60 ship calls are scheduled. This includes vessels from Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, AIDA Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Cunard Line, Silversea, and more.
Cruise Lines Not Involved
The names of the stolen (and subsequently recovered) vehicles’ owners and which cruise lines they were sailing with at the time of the theft have not been released.
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The cruise lines are not involved with the theft investigation and have no bearing on the criminal activity. None of the cruise lines or the Port of Southampton have ownership of the parking facilities, nor are they involved with how the facilities are operated.
As the investigation remains ongoing and there are still 10 more vehicles to recover, local police are urging anyone with information about the theft or the locations of the still-missing vehicles to come forward.
