Cash pay and display parking meters have been covered up in selected roads as Croydon Council looks tackle acts of theft while promoting its cash-less payment system.

The pilot scheme, which launched last week, is being tested in Addiscombe and Park Hill and will see all but one meter covered and taken out of service.

Roads effected include Leslie Park Road, Lebanon Road, Addiscombe Court Road, Tunstall Road, Park Hill Rise, Park Hill Road, Oval Road, Cedar Road, Chisholm Road, Bisenden Road, Brickwood Road, Blake Road, Colson Road, Leslie Grove, Alpha Road.

Bagged machines will have instructions for drivers of how to pay.

The cash-less system, RingGo, was introduced in September and allows payment to be made over the phone, by text, through an app or online.

Councillor Kathy Bee, cabinet member for transport and environment, said: "Theft from pay-and-display machines has been an ongoing problem over the past year or so, and this pilot will help address that issue by reducing the amount of cash held in the machines.

"The thefts invariably result in damage to the machines, sometimes quite severe. In turn, that leaves the council having, in some cases, to pay compensation to those who have lost their money, and having to pay for the repairs to the machines.

"We’re keen to encourage wider use of our cashless parking system, which makes the paying for parking very easy. After initial registration, the motorist can quickly and simply use their phone and not have to worry about having the right change in their pocket to feed a pay-and-display machine."

Motorists can pre-register with RingGo online or by using downloadable smartphone apps.