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14
Mar
Car park machines smashed at Harrogate beauty spot
Vandals have struck again at the Swinsty Reservoir car parks near Harrogate.
An eyewitness told the Stray Ferret they arrived this morning to discover both car parks for the Yorkshire Water-owned beauty spot had been trashed.
They said CCTV cameras had been removed, card payment machines had been smashed and signs had disappeared.
It is the latest outbreak of criminal damage at the reservoirs since Yorkshire Water introduced car park charges last year.
Visitors now have to pay hourly or daily charges or spend £30 on an annual parking permit that covers all of the company's reservoirs.
York-based Bransby Wilson Parking Solutions was appointed to operate the parking meters.
The new cameras were stolen shortly after they were installed and last month police issued an appeal after another incident in which vandals caused thousands of pounds worth of damage at Fewston and Swinsty.
The Stray Ferret asked Yorkshire Water for details of the extent of the latest damage and the likely cost of repair, as well as how many times its reservoir car parks have been vandalised since parking charges were introduced.
We also asked whether the company was doing anything to prevent further outbreaks.
A spokesperson said:
We are working closely with North Yorkshire Police following the latest incident of vandalism at our Swinsty car parks. Unfortunately, incidents like this lead to us wasting customers' money and funds from the car parking charges, which would be better spent on improvements to the reservoirs and conservation projects, to replace the equipment and signage.
The spokesperson declined to comment further, other than to say they understood there had been similar vandalism at other car parks in the area that are non-Yorkshire Water sites.
We asked North Yorkshire Police how many car parks have been affected, and whether anyone has been questioned or arrested.
A spokesperson replied:
We’re aware of a number of incidents of criminal damage to equipment at car parks around the reservoir. Enquiries are ongoing, and police officers are regularly patrolling the areas affected. Anyone with information that could assist is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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