Warning over fake QR codes on parking machines

A council has warned motorists about an increase in fake QR code stickers on some parking machines.

West Berkshire Council, which covers major towns like Newbury, Thatcham and Hungerford, said it does not currently use QR codes for parking payments.

In a post on Facebook, the authority urged drivers who spot a QR code linking to parking payment on a machine to not scan it and to instead report it to the council.

It added: "Our civil enforcement team has removed stickers where they have been found and continue to monitor our car parks."

It comes after Reading Borough Council issued a similar warning in September 2024 about pay-and-display machines in the town.