P&D machines destroyed and stolen in Weston-super-Mare

North Somerset has installed security features in parking machines after thefts and vandals attacks in Weston-super-Mare in recent weeks. Several pay-and-display machines have been targeted in the seaside resort, with cash stolen and machines also damaged or removed completely.

A council spokeswoman told Parking Review the attacks have cost the council nearly £40,000. “The machines have in-built features to alert us when they are being attacked and are monitored 24 hours a day. We also have increased CCTV coverage,” she said.

“Break-ins can happen at any time of day, and a common practice is for thieves to masquerade as workmen in high-visibility jackets. All council car parking officers carry official identification, and we would encourage the public to be alert and report anything they believe to be suspicious.”

Avon and Somerset police said they are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the machines being tampered with. A police spokesman said: “Because the high number of people who have been visiting the resort, we're keen to hear from anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously around the machines or parking close to them and then tampering with the machines.

“We believe that those responsible may have used a vehicle - possibly a van as it is likely they would require tools to force entry to the machine.

“In some cases, the whole machine or cash box has been taken. Often damage to the machine is so severe that it needs replacing - which together with the loss of cash taken - means expensive losses to the parking services in the resort, who operate the system.”

On-street parking regulation was introduced in Weston-super-Mare in 2012, with a team of civil enforcement officers taking over responsibility for controlled parking enforcement from the police last April.