ASDA shoppers finally got their free parking at the Newton Abbot store on Monday, as all parking machines were out of action. Overnight on Sunday, all glass screens on the machines were smashed, and card machines ripped out.

Signs on the broken machines confirmed free parking.

There is speculation on community groups over whether this is an outraged response to wrong parking charges that shoppers have faced. It’s believed that this is someone ‘fighting back’ on behalf of the community.

The response is not the usual to anti-social behaviour, and instead is tongue-in-cheek congratulatory, with many naming the vandal a ‘hero’.

A member of the community group said: ‘I don’t agree with vandalism, but…with the amount of complaints (and) issues against the parking company, it was bound to happen.’ Nonetheless, Asda said the incident has been reported to the police. An Asda spokesperson has confirmed that machines were out of service.

Due to a lack of trust in the store, shoppers are sceptical that parking will be free. One person pointed out that tickets are still payable online and customers might be expected to do so.

One concerned customer spoke to reporters about receiving a charge when machines were out of order previously. She was told that a photo of the broken machine was insufficient evidence to avoid the charge.