Thieves are stealing the money from pay and display machines at Huntingdonshire car parks.

Cambridgeshire police said that this year there have been nine thefts of cash from machines, seven at car parks owned and managed by Huntingdonshire District Council.

Car parks at Hinchingbrooke Park and in Tebbutts Road, St Neots, have both had two thefts, while others have taken place in Tan Yard and Waitrose, in St Neots, and at Globe car park in St Ives.

Thieves have also struck at Tesco, in Ramsey, where an air machine at the fuel station was targeted, and at Grafham Water in Perry Road.

Crime reduction officer Dave Griffin said: “We do not have an exact amount of money taken but the cost to repair and replace the cash boxes and doors is huge.

“I would ask members of the public to be vigilant when they are in car parks and to report any suspicious activity around the ticket machines on 101, or 999 if an offence is taking place.”

Councillor Darren Tysoe, HDC’s executive councillor for environment, said: “We are working closely with Cambridgeshire police to help solve this problem, and, where possible, using our CCTV cameras to monitor the situation.”