Parking machines will text for help

Seventy of the 'next generation' machines have been installed in the town and are equipped with mobile phone parts to be able to text for help if anyone attempts to break into or damage them.

They have been introduced by East Sussex County Council following a spate of attacks.

Since changes to parking restrictions were introduced in September 2004 186 parking meters have been vandalised in Lewes and 46 have been completely written off at a cost of 300,000.

In many cases the meters were stuffed with explosives and blown up.

The new solar powered, wireless Alfia 300 CI model parking meters, which cost 3,000, are made of toughened stainless steel and are almost impenetrable.

But should someone try to tamper with them they send a text message to the Parking Shop in Lewes and a call centre in Bristol which can contact police.

They are also able to use their SIM cards to order repairs and can call for their cash boxes to be emptied.

The machines were set to go on-line on Monday along with 150 machines in Eastbourne.

But this has been delayed following a legal challenge from Eastbourne Borough Council to the way the parking scheme was introduced.

A spokesman for East Sussex County Council said the machines would not go on-line for the text service until the Eastbourne situation was resolved.

A 5,000 reward has been offered for any information that leads to a conviction relating to the damage of the parking meters.