BBC News reports Devon and Cornwall Police have dropped ski trips fraud probe
Police have dropped a fraud probe into a Devon ski firm boss after hundreds of children's trips were cancelled.
Officers said there was insufficient evidence of crime for action against Chris Reynard, who was arrested.
See full story here
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Previous news:
July 2011
Following the continuing investigations into the collapse of Skiing Europe AITO is to temporarily suspend its 100% financial guarantee after discovering an ‘enormous loophole’ in Package Travel Regulations.
AmTrust Europe who provided the insolvency insurance cancelled Skiing Europe’s policy as a result of material non-disclosure by the owner Chris Reynard when applying for insurance.
AITO is to suspend the guarantee from 1 August and has therefore forced its members with insurance cover to make their customers aware of the changes. In a statement released yesterday, AITO said it had found the policy ‘not fit for purpose’ as the insurer has the right to cancel a policy with travel companies after bookings have been made with consumers. “We believe that this is a very serious shortcoming in terms of the insolvency protection provided to consumers by the Package Travel Regulations,” AITO said in the statement.
The loophole has left thousands of school children with no refund after former AITO member Skiing Europe was forced to cancel several school trips during financial problems and had its failure policy taken away by Amtrust Europe. The latter announcement came to light when AITO sought legal advice during a police investigation into Skiing Europe and found that the insurance company was legally allowed to pulls its financial protection policy from Chris Reynard, who solely operated Skiing Europe. Due to his insolvency he is unable to pay compensation to customers.
On the 19th July it was reported that a 70-year-old man from Colyton was arrested after a specialist police team carried out searches at a property near Colyton. After being questioned at a police station in Exeter, he was bailed last night until January 12, 2012.
DC Martin Battershill said: “This is a complex investigation involving assistance from forces around the country as well as other agencies. We are working to ascertain whether criminal offences have been committed in the running of Skiing Europe.”
Skiing Europe Investigation
We have reported on the on-going investigations into the activities of Skiing Europe and its proprietor Chris Reynard, which has left a number of schools and youth groups unable to travel on paid for skiing trips and others which have had to pay again for accommodation, transport and services that they had already paid Skiing Europe for. The School Travel Forum has assisted Radio 4 and BBC News in their recent reports and subsequently a police investigation has been instigated, a development we fully welcome.
This highlights the difficulties for teachers, schools and Local Authorities in meeting their need to identify reputable companies; our view has always been that it is easy for companies to appear to be trustworthy and safe, but very difficult for that to be thoroughly investigated, particularly for those outside the travel industry and with significant other duties to undertake. Regrettably such problems have the potential to put schools off organising trips, denying children from the indisputable benefits they bring.
It was for this reason that the STF, a not for profit organisation, was established; our aim is to provide a robust means of identifying reputable travel providers, which satisfies all due diligence and guarantees high standards in the school/youth travel industry.
The STF sets the benchmark for school travel companies; setting demanding standards and overseeing rigorous annual inspections of all members to ensure those standards are being maintained. Membership is open to all school travel companies, both small and large, providing they can meet and maintain our standards; Skiing Europe is not a member of the STF.
Our organisation sets the benchmark for school travel companies; we are an Awarding Body of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge scheme and are supported by major teachers’ unions and headteachers’ associations. The OEAP endorses the LOtC Quality Badge and requests to Local Authority Members to recommend the use of LOTC Quality Badge Providers.
There is no cost to check a company’s accreditation, simply visit the above web sites; it is quick and easy to use, whilst ensuring the most rigorous check of potential suppliers.
School trips are proven to be of immense value and STF members are committed to fulfilling their responsibilities. For confidence and protection it makes sense to use providers who have proven standards; insist on using suppliers that display one of the above logos.
Previous Reports
The circumstances surrounding the last-minute cancellation of a school's skiing trip is being investigated.
Tavistock College said it was forced to pull out because it feared there would be no accommodation for the 129 pupils and staff.
Devon tour operator Skiing Europe has admitted planned accommodation was lost, but said alternative arrangements had been made. Devon County Council, which approved Skiing Europe, is investigating.
Parents of the 112 pupils at Tavistock College had paid £800 each for the half-term trip, but just 15 minutes before the coaches were due to leave on Friday, the school pulled out.
At least two other school ski trips booked through Skiing Europe have also been cancelled this week, including Reading School in Berkshire.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-12544993
http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/news/Students-left-gutted-cancelled-ski-trip/article-3258682-detail/article.html
Further news
3/3/11
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-12641928
7/3/11
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-12995853
Note:
Skiing Europe http://www.skiing-europe.com/home.htm is not an STF member nor a Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge holder.
All companies featuring the STF logo or Learning Outside the Classroom Quality badge are independently audited every year to ensure high standards of safety, financial protection and quality educational experiences.