Things that go bang in the night: Vandals blow up parking meters in Lewes

The sleepy town of Lewes, Sussex, has been subjected to a spot of mindless vandalism. Yobs and 'youths' have been blowing up parking meters, causing in excess of £20,000 worth of damage.

Lewes, famed for its annual fireworks night displays, has been rocked by similar acts before. In 2004, when on-street parking charges were first introduced to ease congestion, vandals began destroying the machines. Over a two-year period they targeted 200 of them at a cost of £300,000.