Car park thieves have targeted 25 pay and display machines in the last month in Leicestershire.

Police said thieves had raided 18 ticket machines in Leicester city centre, with the rest being in the county and Rutland.

On at least one occasion, the thieves pretended to be repairing the machine as they emptied the cash out.

The most recent incident took place on Sunday in Colton Street, Leicester, when a machine was broken into just before 7pm and a cash box was stolen.

Vandalised pay and display machines on Dover Street and in the Dover Street car park
Vandalised pay and display machines on Dover Street and in the Dover Street car park

A pay and display machine in The Newarke, at the entrance to Castle Gardens, was broken into on August 21 and the cash box was stolen. This incident took place between 11.15am and 11.30am.

Police have now appealed for help from the public.

They have asked anyone with any dashcam footage of possible thefts from pay and display machines to contact them.

PC Sam Burton, from the city centre neighbourhood policing area, said: “We have seen a rise in the number of pay and display machines being targeted in the city centre and across the force area. 

“The majority of the incidents have occurred between 11pm and 12 midnight but two mentioned above were during daylight hours.

Vandalised pay and display machines on Dover Street and in the Dover Street car park
Vandalised pay and display machines on Dover Street and in the Dover Street car park

“From enquiries we have conducted so far, we believe the suspects were using a black Ford Focus ST during the incident in The Newarke. A number of people were in the area at the time and we are asking people to think back and contact us if they saw a similar vehicle in the area or people acting suspiciously around the machine.

“The suspects may have suggested they were there to fix the machine.

“If you have dashcam equipment installed in your vehicle can you view the footage and see if you have captured the suspects? Any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, could help us identify those responsible.”

Martin Fletcher, Leicester City Council highways director, said the raids left a repair bill.

“The vandalism caused to the pay and display machines by the thieves is very costly to repair and this is ultimately borne by the taxpayer,” he said.

Vandalised pay and display machines on Dover Street and in the Dover Street car park
Vandalised pay and display machines on Dover Street and in the Dover Street car park

“As well as the inconvenience to motorists, the lost parking income means there is less money available to support essential highways and transport services.

“Money from parking income is used to help fund transport improvements and supported bus services.”

Anyone with any information about the incidents is asked to contact 101,