Thieves got away with around £300 after breaking into a parking meter in Richmond.
Two parking meters near Richmond Station and Richmondshire Leisure Trust were raided at about 8pm on Monday night.
One machine besides the Liberty gym behind the pool was emptied and badly damaged. The meter is now out of order.
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It is understood the two men aged in their late 20s or early 30s used a drill to break into the machine.
The thieves then tried to empty a meter in the car park in front of Richmond Station but were disturbed and left the area.
This machine is still working.
Police are now investigating and have taken away CCTV footage from Richmond Station which it is understood shows the incident clearly.
Eileen Halliday said she had been told there had been a spate of similar incidents across the district.
The money raised from parking is split between the leisure trust and the station and helps to keep the services running.
She said it was deplorable that the men had taken money from the two charities, adding: “I just hope the CCTV helps to catch these people. It would be great to help solve the crime and have this pair arrested.”
Austin Gordon, manager of the leisure trust, added: “It’s very maddening that these thieves have take money from the two charities. I hope that the CCTV footage leads to their arrest.”
