A BREAK-IN to parking machines at a Bournemouth shopping centre led to free parking for shoppers for three days.

Police were alerted at 6.30am on Tuesday when staff at the Sovereign Centre in Boscombe discovered theft from a number of machines in the multi-storey car park.

Although there is no visible damage to the machines, they could not be used and staff put signs on them.

The signs read: “Free parking. Thanks for choosing to park at Sovereign Shopping Centre. Free parking available in our car park all day. Valid today only. Enjoy your visit.”

The signs gave no indication that a crime had been committed and staff on site said they were unable to comment on what happened.

But shop workers and stallholders at the Centenary Way centre said they had heard that machines had been broken into.

One told the Daily Echo: “Everyone was saying there had been a break-in but no one has told us officially. We were told to be positive about the fact that the parking is free.”

Shopper Des Holmes said: “It is very unusual to get free parking anywhere these days so I’m not going to complain. I always worry about things like this in case I get a ticket so I’m going to take a picture of the sign as proof.”

Grace Holmes added: “I am going to take advantage of the free parking - it will be nice not to have to rush - but I must admit the parking charges here are pretty reasonable anyway.

“It seems a bit odd that the machines don’t really look like they’ve been damaged.”

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: “At 6.30am on Tuesday March 21, police received a report of theft from a number of parking machines at the Sovereign Shopping Centre.

“A number of machines were broken into and a quantity of cash was taken.No arrests have been made and officers are continuing their investigations.”

Anyone with information is urged to call Dorset Police on 101 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.