Cash stolen from parking meters in Tavistock car park

By katef1 | Thursday, November 10, 2011, 10:00

Police in West Devon are investigating the theft of cash from parking meters in Tavistock.

Money from two parking meters in Bedford Car Park was taken sometime between 5pm on Saturday 5th November and 7.30am on Sunday 6th November.

A second theft took place in the Okehampton Mill Road car park between 4pm on Sunday 6th November and 9am on Monday 7th November. Money was taken from one meter, and another machine was damaged.

Ian Hosking, Street Scene Manager at West Devon Borough Council said: "These incidents are very disappointing, especially as repairs to these machines are costly to the taxpayer. Replacing them outright can cost up to £3,000, which is far more than thieves will ever recover from a machine. These thefts have also left a hole in the car parks budget, at further cost to the taxpayer.

"If residents see anyone tampering with pay and display machines please do let police know. Even if they look like council staff, unless they have a clearly marked council van, please report it."

Police are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed any unusual activity or saw any suspicious vehicles in the area. Please call police on non emergency number 101 with any information.

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Comments

The fact that these so called "Parking Meters" don't give change does lead to a very strong argument? In the eyes of the law it is a "Criminal Offence" to withhold the property of another without due cause. Yet it is deemed a "Civil Offence" when councils parking meters and other vendor type machines do not give change - but the question is this - is that change not the property of the user?? So, whomever it was who stole from these machines, maybe they just overpaid for so long they thought it only right to obtain the change they had ac***olated over the years. I don't condone any criminal activity, and two wrongs don't make a right - but who's goona take a council to the small claims court for small change??????

By EyeOnPlymouth at 20:22 on 13/11/11
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It is funny how if a shop overcharges you it is illegal but the council can and get away with it.

By Peter20113 at 08:16 on 11/11/11
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@mike5charsmin

I agree with you totally.

There must be high level meetings to decide what is the most unusual fee to charge to maximise non return of money put into these machines.

Why don't they set the fee at say £1.41 so everyone has to pay 9p extra?

By Peter20113 at 22:09 on 10/11/11
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They could pay for the damage with the thousands in extra cash they keep when you don't have the right change. I can see why they don't give change, but I'll never understand why the remaining credit doesn't remain as a balance for the next user.

To my mind, it's morally theft as well.

By Mike5charsmin at 21:26 on 10/11/11
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Ultimate cashback!

By mcspredder at 21:17 on 10/11/11
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