A gang from outside the area is believed to have stolen cash from car park ticket machines in Malvern.

Two machines in the Malvern Splash car parks were broken into last week and a machine in the Grange Road car park, next to Malvern Theatres, was targeted recently.

Richard Hartley, community safety consultant for Malvern Hills District Council, said theft from ticket machines and phone kiosks had been a problem in rural areas of the three counties for some time.

"It's a well-organised, well-equipped group of individuals, not some opportunist," he said.

"We think a team from outside the area comes on a regular basis and commits these offences."

Mr Hartley said the council was looking at a number of options to stop the break-ins, including redesigning the machines to make them more robust.

Anyone who sees any suspicious activity near a car park ticket machine should call police on 08457 444888.