October 11, 2013 12.20 pm This story is over 125 months old

Lincoln council pushes cash-free parking to deter thieves

Go cashless? The City Council is encouraging people to use cashless schemes to pay for parking after machines in three car parks were robbed.

Drivers using Lincoln car parks are being asked to consider cash-free ways to pay for parking to deter criminals stealing money.

As previously reported, a gang stole thousands of pounds from three car parks in Lincoln this week.

Fourteen Pay and Display machines at Broadgate, Thornbridge and Westgate car parks were targeted.

As well as helping Lincolnshire Police find the criminals, the council recommends people pay with systems such as PayByPhone, season tickets and scratch cards to deter offences.

Rod Williamson, City Services Team Leader, said: “Although we regularly empty our machines to avoid cash being left in them, this was a very knowledgeable gang who struck the car parks.

“We understand they have, over a period of time, mastered ways to break into these highly secure machines and empty them.

“The money they stole would have gone into supporting projects across the city, so these criminals have not only stolen from us but also the people who live in and visit Lincoln.”

You can register for PayByPhone online, which will save your phone, vehicle and payment details.

On Mondays, PayByPhone customers also receive 25% off their car parking bill. You can also receive a text to let you know when your parking limit is nearing an end and top it up without having to return to your vehicle.

If more people sign up to the scheme, the city council will consider adding more discount offers from 2014.

The council are monitoring the popularity of this scheme, and if people take it up, more discounted offers will be rolled out in the new year.

Season tickets are available from the council’s partner, Lincoln BIG, and the flexible scratch card scheme can be purchased at City Hall.