Parking meter scam exposed

It is understood the scam may have continued undetected for at least 12 months and follows years of scandal and turmoil at the city council's $32-million-a-year parking branch.

Detectives from Melbourne's criminal investigation unit this week charged four employees of private security firm National Protective Services, which was hired by the council to collect parking fees.

Police also seized four cars, including a Porsche coupe and a new 4WD, as well as electronic goods and large amounts of cash.

It is believed that at least $200,000 was skimmed from the city's parking meters and ticket machines, although City of Melbourne chief executive Kathy Alexander said the council was not "certain of the amount stolen or the period over which it was taken".

It is the second time individuals linked to National Protective Services have been investigated by police over allegations about parking meter scams. Four years ago, a former detective linked to a company manager was investigated by police internal investigators over a similar scam.

Allegations about the scam were passed by internal affairs to the state's police corruption watchdog, the Office of Police Integrity, but no charges were laid. The Age has no evidence to suggest the former detective was involved in the latest alleged theft.

National Protective Services chief executive Rachel Saunders and Ms Alexander yesterday both attempted to claim credit for tipping off the police about the alleged scam.

Ms Saunders said it was the first time her staff had been involved in impropriety.

"These despicable men (who have been arrested) have let themselves down, their families down and their colleagues down," she said.

In August 2006, the city council moved to overhaul its parking and traffic branch after a scathing State Ombudsman's report revealed that rogue parking officers had been illegally issuing parking fines.

In the mid to late-1990s, over $1 million in coins were allegedly stolen from Melbourne's parking meters under a similar scam.

One well-placed source said the latest scam revealed ongoing failings with auditing and oversight in the council's parking division.

The four men charged this week will appear in court again in February.