Thieves are targeting car park ticket machines in Nantwich and Crewe, Cheshire East Council has warned.
It comes after a recent spate of thefts in which £15,000 has been stolen from pay-and-display machines across the borough.
The authority says more than 20 machines located in Nantwich, Crewe, Macclesfield and Congleton have been targeted in recent weeks.
Cheshire Police are probing the thefts and members of the public are asked to report suspicious behaviour.
Some of the thefts have taken place in daytime, and damage to the machines is expected to cost more than £10,000 to repair.
Cllr Craig Browne, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “This is a targeted crime against our tax-payers and we ask anyone using our car parks to be on the look out for suspicious behaviour.
“This is not a victimless crime.
“Not only has the car park money been stolen, it is also our tax-payers who have to pick up the bill to repair or replace these damaged machines.
“This diverts essential money away from other areas of the council, which is there to provide vital services to the most vulnerable people in our community.
“We apologise for the inconvenience these thefts are causing our car park users and we are working to repair or replace the machines as soon as possible.
“Motorists can still pay for their parking by using the other options displayed in the car park.”
Money received from parking machines is used to ensure car parks are safe, secure and well maintained and encourages a good turnaround of spaces for shoppers.
Anyone that sees suspicious activity is strongly advised not to approach possible perpetrators and, instead, report concerns to Cheshire Police on 101.
Damaged parking meters can be reported to the council by emailing [email protected]
Similarly, Sam, they won’t have attacked the machines in Prestbury as it doesn’t cost anything to park your Lamborghini or Tesla there!!
No thefts from sandbach? Oh no they have free parking!! ?
Money received from these machines is to make car parks safe! and secure!
Good Job ?
Hang on a minute why do the tax payers have to pay for the damaged machines where has the millions gone that the tax payer has put in these machines to park on the tax payers land
111 is gp out of hours not police lol