Special protection was put on parking meters to prevent bonfire vandals from damaging them in Lewes last night.

Police offered a £1,250 reward after two parking meters were blown up with fireworks last month.

Yesterday, Lewes District Council took extra precautions to try to protect more meters from suffering a similar fate during the annual bonfire night celebrations.

Meters were spotted around the town centre bearing signs reading “ready for removal”. However, Lewes District Council leader James Page told The Argus: “They haven’t been taken away they’ve been securely covered to prevent any vandalism.”

Police believe the latest two parking meters to be damaged, in Phoenix Place and Friars Walk, had fireworks jammed into the coin slots – causing an estimated £1,000 to £1,900 of damage.

Meters in the town have been plagued by similar problems, with more than 200 attacked since they were introduced in 2004. 

The district council has previously blamed the vandalism – which has resulted in repairs costing taxpayers more than £300,000 – on increasing parking charges in the town.

Previous incidents have all taken place in the weeks leading up to bonfire night. As the Argus went to press it was not yet know whether the town’s parking meters had survived the celebrations unscathed. We are currently waiting for an update on the situation.

Chief Inspector Jason Tingley, of Sussex Police, vowed to step up patrols and warned that the acts could cause serious injury.

He added that it was not clear whether the damage was being caused as a protest against parking prices or was simply an act of mindless vandalism.

Councillor Carl Maynard, lead cabinet member for transport and environment, said: “Whoever committed these mindless crimes should know they risk jail.

“As well as the potential to seriously injure a passer-by, this vandalism costs the people of Lewes, who end up footing the bill.”

Anyone with any information on parking meter vandalism should call Sussex Police on 101.