Metric Parking has been commenting on two serious attacks of attempted theft on their Aura pay and display machines with the criminals failing to steal any money.
The attacks happened on the Isle of Wight which replaced their parking machines with 150 Metric Auras in a competitive European tender last year.
Richard Boultbee, Metric Parking’s UK sales and marketing manager, was sympathetic to hear that the two machines were so vigorously attacked that they were beyond economical repair. But he was delighted to hear the criminals failed in their attempts to take any money.
Said Mr Boultbee: “I understand the thieves were unable to break into the secure area that holds the cash and both machines were left without any money being taken.”
Stuart Love, IW Council director of economy and environment, said: “One of the reasons the council replaced their parking machines with new models was because the old ones were outdated and susceptible to break-ins.
“Thankfully,” said Mr Love, “the new machines are very robust and are designed to keep criminals out. Despite this the damage was to such an extent that the machines need to be replaced.”
A machine in St Helens Duver car park was completely removed from its stand and later dumped on the beach. A machine was damaged in New Road car park in Lake.