An Ipswich resident whose street was targeted by car vandals says she has found it hard to sleep through fear they will return.
On Saturday, April 21, a group was spotted smashing wing mirrors from cars in Kemball Street.
It comes amid a spate of car vandalism in Ipswich with police receiving reports of cars being damaged in Lacey Street, Haslemere Drive and at the corner of North Hill Road on Tuesday evening.
There have been other incidents of car vandalism in the past few months – including in Crabbe Street and Kings Avenue.
Amy Buckles, who lives in Kemball Street, said her area was targeted by a group in the early hours of Saturday morning.
She said: “They did about five or six cars down our road.
“The wing mirrors were call knocked off, completely smashed off. I opened the window and I heard this crashing noise getting closer and closer.
“There were three of them on the path on both sides of the road with something in their hands.
“I saw them doing it to cars in the street and shouted to them.
“They then got in a car and drove away. I reported it to police immediately
“I am so anxious it will happen again I haven’t slept since.
“I cannot afford £300 to replace the wing mirrors. I was really worried after seeing them doing that in our road.”
Mrs Buckles said the police should be doing more to tackle the rising problem.
She said: “People are worried to leave their cars here.
“You are on edge all the time worrying what is happening next .
“We sleep with our windows open now just in case they come back. It is not acceptable, the police should be doing something about it.”
A Suffolk police spokesman said: “We recognise the distress that incidents like this cause. We are aware of these recent incidents of criminal damage and will be patrolling the areas.
“One of the main challenges when investigating criminal damage is that forensic opportunities can be limited. Another factor is that thefts predominantly occur during the hours of darkness, this limits CCTV opportunities.
“We work hard to tackle the issues and raise awareness through our targeted campaigns.”
Call police on 101 if you witness any incidents of vandalism.
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