HIGH levels of theft from car parking machines across Bournemouth has led to the council rolling out an entire fleet of cashless terminals.

Work is underway to carry out the change after the local authority claimed the spate of crime had left them with increased repair costs.

Many machines across Bournemouth have already been replaced to only accept card as part of the overhaul. This includes the facilities at Hengistbury Head, which had been subjected to a series of incidents.

In August last year, the parking machines were damaged “beyond repair” and the following month the council decided to make the switch to cashless.

However, the Daily Echo has now been told that a card only payment option will be implemented across every council-owned car park.

This could be done through the new machines or using the council's chosen mobile payment provider, PayByPhone.

Elaine Smith, Bournemouth council’s deputy parking services manager, said: “We are currently replacing pay and display machines in all our Bournemouth car parks with new machines configured to only take card payments. The decision to install these machines at Hengistbury Head and across the town is due to a high level of theft of money from machines, which has also involved high repair costs to put the machines back into service. In addition, the cost of collecting, counting and banking cash has also increased significantly.”

Visitors complained about the lack of cash option at Hengistbury Head during last year’s Bournemouth Air Festival. However, the council said there are several benefits to the switch.

“The card only payment machines will be more reliable, because the potential for machines to go out of service due to a coin jam will be removed,” Ms Smith added.

“A major advantage for our customers is that they will only pay the correct amount to park and therefore will not need to carry a pocket full of change. Payment is quick and easy.

“Paying by card at the machines is secure. The equipment suppliers must achieve and maintain required security level standards.’’

Cllr Mike Greene, cabinet member for transport, said the traditional machines were “ancient and bulky”, while the decision to switch to smart payment meters would ensure the facilities matched the town’s “contemporary image”.