POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a number of ‘Pay & Display’ ticket machines were stolen from car parks across North Cornwall and West Devon — including ones from Launceston and Holsworthy.

The thefts are believed to have begun in Mid-August time this year. The police are treating them as a series due to the similar circumstances of each case, but it is yet unknown whether it the work of a group or an individual.

So far police have received reports of ticket machines being taken in similar circumstances from: Launceston, Callington, Bodmin, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Bovey Tracey, Brixham, Tavistock, Okehampton, Padstow, Liskeard, Newquay, Torpoint and Moretonhampstead.

Reports were also recently received that a ticket machine in Holsworthy was cut at the base and stolen on Thursday, November 17 — bringing the total number of incidents up to 20 as the Post went to press.

Earlier in the week a Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said: “There have been 19 incidents of parking ticket machines being forcibly and illegally removed throughout South and West Devon and Cornwall since Mid-August. The offenders appear to be cutting through the base of the machines using power tools. Some have subsequently been found emptied of their contents and dumped.

“We are treating these thefts as a series due to the very similar methods used on each occasion, but cannot say whether one group or individual is responsible.

“We are aware that although the amounts of cash stolen are not always large depending on when the machines have last been emptied, the cost of replacing the machines is a significant one for local authorities, often far greater than the cash value lost.

“If you have any information about any of these thefts, we would very much like to hear from you.”

On Thursday, November 17, a ticket machine was stolen from Holsworthy’s Well Park car park.

The ticket machine was cut at the base with what police have described as a ‘heavy cutting tool’.

PFCSO Mark James, of the Holsworthy Neighbourhood Police team, told the Post: “A Torridge District Council ‘Pay & Display’ ticket machine was stolen from the Leisure Centre car park shortly before 6am that morning. The machine was removed from its stand using some kind of heavy cutting tool. It was reported to us by a member of the public just after it occurred, and it is believed that it was taken from the scene in the back of a car.

“If anyone saw or heard anything suspicious in that area between 5am and 6am, we would be grateful if they could contact us, quoting ref CR/081374/16.”

Investigations for all 20 incidents are ongoing. If anyone has information about these incidents they are asked to email 101@dc.police.uk or call 101, quoting the master reference CR/077488/16.

For those who prefer to remain anonymous, they can get in touch through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via the charity’s website at www.crimestoppers-org.uk