Last week’s vandalism in our street – about twenty cars all deeply scarred with an instrument like a screwdriver – must have amounted to around £20,000 worth of damage. And it turned out not to be the only incidence in the area.
A few days before that, a friend of mine’s car had the pipe leading to the petrol tank cut off and all the petrol siphoned out of it. Of course, she’d just filled it up.
We weren’t going to report the vandalism in our street, because we didn’t think the police would take any notice, but they assured us that this wasn’t the case. Apparently, the more incidents are reported, the more the police will patrol that area.
The police couldn’t have been more helpful when we went to see them, and the forensics lady had a good look at our car and was astounded. But they weren’t too hopeful about finding the culprit(s) and even if they do, legally they aren’t able to charge them. There were no witnesses and they have no powers to punish them.
When Himself erupted, saying he’d like to bring back hanging, one of them said, “yes my husband would too.”
But if they can’t actually do anything to the culprits, what’s the point?
What do you think should happen? What would you like to do or be done?
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17 comments:
The fact that nothing can be done is disheartening, to say the least. Unfortunately it makes the idea of vigilantism become appealing but that would be taking the law into our own hands but that would turn the country into a state of lawlessness.
I agree RT - but what else can be done? Pip's looking into CCTV cameras.
Yes, I was thinking about CCTV cameras too. You can get some reasonably priced ones that work with a computer. Perhaps we should start up a neighbourhood watch! ;@)
That's terrible. It's especially galling when something like that happens to close to home.
I hope they catch them and make some sort of example of them, if nothing else.
RT - yes that's what we were thinking of. Himself has threatened to stay up all night to catch the bastards. As he's usually in bed by 9pm I'm not sure about that!!
RC - I'd like that too but I rather doubt if it will happen.
Doesn't it make you want to SPIT!!!
I'd bring back the birch for anyone caught vandalising other people's or public property - that'd teach the little shits! Sorry about the language but it make me so effin' mad. Grrrr.
I had the same think happen to my car - as one of 34 in my avenue - several years ago and no one was ever caught or punished for it. I was incensed.
I could happily become a viglanty sometimes.
It's enough to make you spit. If they were caught I would like their property systematically vandalized whilst they are forced to watch.
I feel for you fp. It's a horrible thing to happen and I hope the buggers are caught.
We are part of a neighbourhood watch but we still get crime like, car theft/break in, scratch marks, mirror smashing, aerial removal and occasional damage by accidental dents etc. Not that this happens every week, but regularly over the year.
People have been murdered for intervening (not in our area!)
I would like to see some really tough punishment & they should be made to pay for the damage some how, however long it took.
CCTV cameras are a great idea, as is a neighourhood watch, or something along those lines.
They should have their Wii's smashed to smitherines at the very least. Followed by community service. Followed by...
Grrrrrrr. It makes me fume.
Ak - well the birch is probably preferable to hanging!
maggie may - that's interesting but presumably neighbourhood watch works as some deterrent? I agree about het rough punishment.
debs - it's infuriating isnt it? and yes I know all about wanting to become a vigilante!
lane - thanks for that. I hope they're caught too but I very much doubt it.
MissU - Good idea about the Wiis - that'd make em wince!
This type of vandalism has been going on around here too. What is happening to society when the criminals can't be charged? And if the victims try to do something, they become the criminals. Oh, don't get me started.
So sorry to hear what a rough time you've had. I don't know what the answer is but I do know that when someone ripped the windscreen wiper of the driver's side of my very ancient (ie hard to find parts for) car I really wanted to rip the vandal's thoughtless head off.
wakeup - sorry you'v been having the same treatment. I quite agree....
chrish - yes I'd quite happily rip a few heads off.
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