Criminals severed the brakes of patrol cars – while they were parked at Sussex Police headquarters.
The raid on the site in Church Lane, Lewes, came after cuts to security to save money.
Investigators are baffled by the crime, which they believe was carried out sometime during an eight-day period starting at the end of last month.
Two CCTV vans, a Land Rover and three general purpose police cars were tampered with between October 31 and Wednesday, November 7.
Officers realised something was wrong when they started their vehicles and saw warning lights.
They took them to the force workshops at Astley House, Lewes.
Mechanics raised the alarm when they realised a series of vehicles had been brought in with the same problem.
Bob Brown, chairman of the Sussex Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, said: “Security at all police stations has to be proportionate to the risk that is known at the time. It is of concern if police vehicles are being tampered with. That is a malicious act and could have serious consequences.
“Not only could the police officers have been injured, but if it wasn’t discovered until they went on the road on a shout members of the public could be injured and the officers would not get to the job they were going to in the first place.”
Reduced security
It is understood that the police headquarters site does not have any 24-hour security any longer following a review of costs. The force has been on a £50 million savings programme since 2011.
Inspector Jonathan Greetham, from Sussex Police’s Lewes neighbourhood response team, said: "This is being investigated in the same way any other spate of vehicle crimes would be.
“We have carried out a number of enquiries to try and find those responsible and these will continue.
“Fortunately, no-one has been hurt but malicious tampering with any vehicle could have devastating consequences, not only for the driver, their passengers but also members of the public, if an accident were to occur.”
This is only the latest attack on a police station in Sussex.
In April a police sergeant’s car tyres were punctured after nails were strewn around the entrances of car parks at Brighton Police Station in John Street, Brighton.
Anyone with information about the Lewes crimes is asked to call Sussex Police on 101, quoting serial 1100 of November 7.
See the latest news headlines from The Argus:
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here