Security was stepped up at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, after hooded and masked protesters damaged car park exit barriers there.
CCTV at the site is being scrutinised as part of a police investigation into the attack on the barriers at around midnight on Wednesday.
A man contacted The Courier shortly after the incident saying about half a dozen people were protesting against charges.
The hospital car parks are operated by private firm Vinci Park, which has responsibility for security as well as the maintenance and management of the car parks on the hospital site.
The protesters damaged exit barriers at three car parks, so vehicles could move freely and drivers avoid paying.
The barriers were brought back into service yesterday.
The spokesman for the gang had threatened that in the event of that happening the protesters would return “with hammers and axes and do the job properly.”
Although Vinci Park declined to comment yesterday while a police investigation was ongoing, it is understood the number of security guards on duty last night was increased and that police officers gave the site extra attention during the night.
Brian Main, NHS Tayside’s site manager at Ninewells, said the health authority was not involved. He had been informed by Vinci Park of the incident and that it was in contact with the police who were investigating “criminal damage.”Vinci’s responsibilityAsked if there would be any additional security measures put in place as a result of the incident, he said, “Not by me. Vinci are fully responsible for the management and maintenance of the car parks.”
A spokeswoman for Vinci Park said, “We are not able to comment on this incident while it is under investigation. At present we are assisting the police with their inquiries.”
The hospital is 13 years into a controversial 30-year contract that lets the car park operators charge motorists for parking in exchange for managing and maintaining the car parks.
It meant the hospital was not free to join hospitals across Scotland in removing charges.
Medical student Sidra Kosar (25) said, “The parking is a bit of a joke, especially if you are working here every day, but breaking the barriers is not the way to go solve the problem.”
Emma Cessford (24), a research student at Ninewells, said that while she felt the fees were too high, defacing private property “was not the answer.”
A police spokeswoman said inquiries into the criminal damage are ongoing.
“Whilst we are aware that some individuals have strong feelings about the parking costs at the hospital, we would like to remind anyone intent on causing criminal damage that, if caught, you will be charged and reported to the procurator fiscal.”
Anyone with information can call the police on 0300 111 2222.