Colchester: More than 30 tyres slashed in wave of vehicle crime across New Town
16 vehicles have had tyres slashed in four days in the New Town area of Colchester
Police have increased patrols in an Essex town after 16 cars had tyres slashed in just four days.
Officers say the culprits are putting lives at risk as drivers might not notice the damage and could continue to drive their vehicles at normal speeds unaware of a flat tyre or the danger of a sudden blow-out.
More than 30 tyres have been punctured or cut overnight between August 20-24 in the Cromwell Road, Portland Road and Shrubland Road areas of New Town in Colchester.
A total of seven vehicles were targeted overnight between August 21-22 and there were seven the following night.
There were also single incidents overnight between August 20-21 and August 23-24.
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Inspector Barry Atkinson said: “This crime spate has upset local residents and cost more than £2,500 for replacement tyres.
“But whoever is responsible is also putting lives at risk because if the damaged tyre is not noticed a driver could easily continue routine journeys and might lose control of the vehicle on a fast main road such as the A12.
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“In some cases the tyres are completed deflated, others have cuts in the side. But if they are not spotted the consequences could be serious, if not fatal.
“This reckless crime must be stopped and we urge people to be on their guard and report any suspicious activity immediately on 999.
“We have increased patrols in the area and local officers are doing house-to-house enquiries.”
In most cases the two offside tyres have been damaged, but some vehicles have had one or three tyres cut.
Anyone with information about the perpetrators, however insignificant it may seem, should call officers at Colchester on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
