A leading Perth councillor has slammed the wanton vandalism of 12 parking meters in the city which will cost almost £4000 to repair.
Peter Barrett, one of the representatives for the Perth City ward, was reacting to the council-run meters being targeted in recent weeks, primarily in the North Inch area.
Police Scotland has confirmed the parking meters, which all had plastic covers, were vandalised in Atholl Street, North Port, North William Street, Stormont Street, Melville Street and Barossa Place, in the space of a week, earlier this month.
Mr Barrett said he is concerned by the vandalism but feels criminals may have specifically targeted the multi-space parking meters.
“There has been a spate of vandalism in the city centre recently which is an increasing concern,” he said.
“The damage to parking meters affects streets around the North Inch and appears to be limited to one type of meter. The downside of multi-space meters is that they can be more attractive to attempted theft and vandalism and when they are out of operation a whole area can be affected.”
He continued: “I do not know whether the aim of the vandals was to rob the machines of cash or disrupt payment for on-street parking in the area. Either way there will be a loss of parking revenue and considerable cost to the council to repair the machines.
“The downsides of multi-space meters are that they more expensive to repair than single space ones and when they are out of action a whole area can be affected.”
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council commented: “The cost of repairing the twelve pay and display machines that were damaged to the north of Perth city centre is around £315 per machine.
“The plastic covers will be replaced by metal ones.
“If members of the public have any information in relation to the damage, they should contact Police Scotland.”
A police spokesperson confirmed the vandalism had taken place in the streets mentioned and urged anyone with information on the incidents to phone them by dialling 101.