A CAR enthusiast is furious after vandals smashed the windscreens of several cars on his road, including his own “pride and joy”, in broad daylight.
Tim Hill’s Ford Fiesta was one of three cars to be targeted in Topham Avenue, Warndon Villages, on Saturday morning between 7am and 8.20am.
The 22-year-old believes the incident is the tip of the iceberg, with several cars having been stolen in the area recently, and teenagers also “causing harassment behaviour”.
Referring to the vandal attacks, he said an eyewitness, whose car was one of those damaged, told him two teenage boys were jumping on the cars’ bonnets and smashed the windscreens with their feet.
He normally parks the Fiesta on the drive but had moved it onto the road to allow his parents to get off the drive for work.
“I was taking my sister to work on Saturday morning, and thought what’s that on my seat?” said Mr Hill, who studied at Blessed Edward Oldcorne College.
“I picked it up and it was glass, all over the seats and I said: ‘Oh God, you are joking.’”
He said he got straight on the phone to his insurance company – before a neighbour came and told him what he had seen.
“He saw me on the phone and, bless him, he waited until I was done and told me what happened.”
As well as Mr Hill’s blue Fiesta, a yellow Volkswagen Passat and a blue Toyota Yaris were damaged, all within a few yards of each other.
“I was not particularly happy with what happened, as my Fiesta is my pride and joy.
“As I’m a car enthusiast, I’ve done a lot of mods to it and looking after it and cleaning it, and these lads, whoever they are, just don’t care.”
Mr Hill, yard manager at a city van dealership, paid £9,400 for his car and has spent around £600 on modifications.
While he only had to get the windscreen replaced, he believes children of that age don’t understand how much strain car vandalism can often put on someone’s finances.
Having reported the incident to police, forensics officers came out and examined footprints left on the car.
“I just hope these people come clean and no one has to deal with this type of mess,” he added.
City councillor Andrew Roberts, who represents Warndon Parish North, said he saw the “aftermath” of the vandal attacks on Saturday morning, calling it “extremely regretful”.
He said this type of antisocial behaviour is uncommon in Warndon Villages, particularly on a weekend, though there are problems with parking in the week which have left residents frustrated.
“We have incidents of people getting extremely upset at cars being parked on the road, causing congestion. It’s an issue we will be addressing with the hospital and Kings Court business park.”
However, he described Saturday’s incident as “absolutely the exception” – having lived at the “heart of the community” for many years.
“I have regular meetings with the local police teams here. It’s something we will raise with officers and hopefully find a solution,” he added.
Anyone with information about the car damage can call police on 101 crime reference: 22/100199/18
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