Vandals disable new parking meters with foam spray

Three new parking meters installed at a formerly free car park have been vandalised on their first day of operation.

Foam was sprayed into coin and card payment slots, making the machines in Helston unusable on Monday and prompting an investigation by Devon and Cornwall Police.

The Fairground Car Park in the west Cornwall town had been free for 40 years before Cornwall Council decided to introduce charges, which sparked a wave of objections and a petition garnering 4,049 signatures.

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said they were "disappointed" by the vandalism and said the cost of repairs would "impact the taxpayer directly".

They added: "We will be putting signs up advising that charges still apply and payments must be made via the JustPark App while the machines are repaired."

The Fairground Car Park is a an access point for the town's boating lake, play park and a café, as well as the popular walking route to Porthleven via the Penrose estate.

The cabinet decision to start charging came despite a scrutiny committee voting against the proposals in March.

Charges now apply daily from 09:00 to 16:00, with the first hour free of charge. Payment for 24 hours is £4.20, while a weekly ticket costs £10.20.

Other previously free car parks to have introduced charges include: Hamleys Corner in Par, Howells Bridge in Stratton, Scarletts Well in Bodmin, Viewing Point North in Widemouth and Thanckes Park in Torpoint, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Anyone with any information about the vandalism is asked to contact Devon and Cornwall Police.

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