Be alert, as slasher targets motorists
L11-1396 1/11/11 Scenesetters of Epping Way and Mendip Way, car tyres have recently been slashed in these roads. wk 44 CP JX
RESIDENTS are being plagued by vandals who are slashing their car tyres as they sleep.
More than 100 cars are believed to have been damaged across Luton since the spate of vandalism began three weeks ago.
One pensioner in Sundon Park, who does not wish to be named for fear of reprisal, said the incidents reported to the police are only the tip of the iceberg.
She said: “This problem is far worse than people seem to realise. I heard of ten incidents in just two days. My grandson’s car was parked outside our house and all his tyres were slashed on his birthday, two weeks after we had paid for new tyres when he had his MOT.
“It’s not just the expense though, it’s the inconvenience. People need their cars for work and if all four of their tyres are slashed they can’t go anywhere. I know people who missed out on a day’s work because of this and one man who missed his daughter’s hospital appointment because he couldn’t use his car and they didn’t make it in time.”
Some residents say they heard a moped or scooter outside their house, often late at night, before finding their tyres slashed in the morning.
Others have seen a youth on a moped keeping the engine running while a second youth pierces the tyres.
Another Sundon Park resident who gave her name as Michelle was shocked at how widespread the vandalism was.
She said: “My partner’s car and van which were parked on the road outside our house both had all their tyres slashed. He then noticed that in the next few streets there were dozens of vehicles which had also been slashed.
“We didn’t report ours because we didn’t think there would be any point but I’ve realised that the more people keep quiet about this criminal activity the less likely it is we will catch whoever is doing it. They can’t be allowed to get away with it.”
A worker at Rotation UK Autocentre in Sundon Park Road said: “We normally get a couple of cars in a week with damaged tyres but you can’t always tell if it’s vandalism or wear and tear. There was one car a couple of weeks ago that had all four tyres slashed so you couldn’t even drive it, but that sort of thing normally only happens if someone’s got a grudge against you.”
Bedfordshire Police are investigating the crime spate and are linking 16 different incidents in Sundon Park, Lewsey Farm and Luton town centre.
Roads that were targeted include Ravenhill Way, Adelaide Street, High Beech Road, Grampian Way, Pinewood Close, Rossfold Road, Cheviot Road, Mendip Way, Fairbank Close, Epping Way, Cranbrook Drive, Toddington Road, Russell Street, Chestnut Avenue and Kinross Crescent.
A Bedfordshire Police spokesman said: “Local police teams are carrying out high visibility patrols in the evening as a deterrent and for people to talk to them about their concerns. If you are a victim of the vandalism and haven’t reported the incident to the police, contact us so we can build up a picture of what these people have been up to.”
If you have any information about these incidents, contact Beds Police on 01234 841212 or text information to 07786 200011.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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