Vandals attack more than 35 cars in neighbouring streets

Air weapon believed to have been used to fire at car windows in Tile Hill and Eastern Green



Vandals shot at 35 parked cars causing damage running to thousands of pounds during a wrecking spree in Tile Hill.

Residents in the west of Coventry woke yesterday to find their rear windscreens had been shot out, covering the inside of their vehicles with glass.

Damage was reported to police across Tile Hill and Eastern Green - with victims suggesting that cars without alarms were deliberately targeted.

One 78-year-old woman, whose Ford Ka was shot at, now says she fears what will happen next in the area.

Police believe the damage was caused by an air weapon.

Bullet holes were clearly visible in some of the rear windscreens that hadn’t been totally smashed.

Vehicles in Middlecotes, Westcotes, Standard Avenue, Beech Tree Avenue, Elm Tree Avenue and others were targeted by vandals.

The 78-year-old, who lives in Middlecotes, said: “I only found out when my neighbour knocked on my door.

“I was a bit shocked so I went outside and that’s when we realised that a lot of other cars had been done too.

“I’ve got a temporary cover over the back but at the moment I cannot drive it - there’s too much glass inside.

“I’m an OAP. It’s pretty scary.”

The woman, who didn’t want to be named, has had to pay £75 for a replacement windscreen to be fitted.

“One of my neighbours had his window shot at and he’s got children’s car seats in the back,” she added.

“My car is my independence. It’s just stupid, so stupid, and totally unnecessary.

“One of my neighbours heard a bang at about midnight but to be honest you hear plenty of noise in the area so you tend to just ignore it.”

People living in the area pointed the finger at travellers and youngsters while one member of the public suggested it might be a gang initiation.

A spokesman for Coventry Police said they had not yet determined who was responsible.

Sgt Jane Howarth said: “We are in the process of speaking to people in the area and looking at CCTV to establish who is responsible for this vandalism spree.

“We believe the damage may have been caused by an air weapon and I would urge anyone who may have seen anything which could help us with our inquiries to contact us on 101.”

To speak anonymously call 0800 555111.

More than 50 cars now believed to have been attacked during rampage in Tile Hill



Police in Coventry now believe more than 50 cars were trashed by vandals during a wrecking spree in Tile Hill.

Officers originally estimated that 35 cars had been damaged between September 2-Sept 3 but more victims have since come forward to say their vehicle was targeted.

The damage was most likely caused by an air weapon - possibly used from a car, moped or pushbike.

“The sheer number of vehicles targeted and the location of the damage on them leads us to believe that whoever carried this out did so while moving,” said Sergeant Jane Howarth.

“Our intelligence analysts are now working to map the offences so we can see what route was taken and narrow down the times of when this happened.

“We’re particularly keen to hear from any residents in the Upper Eastern Green Lane, Sutherland Avenue or ‘trees and cotes’ road areas, who have their own CCTV.

“They may have captured footage useful to our inquiry and we would urge them to contact us if they think they have something relevant.

“We are taking this seriously and those responsible for this mindless vandalism need to understand that what they’ve done isn’t funny - they’ve left a lot of people out of pocket and caused them a lot of hassle.

“Someone somewhere knows who’s done this and I would urge anyone who hears anything or sees anything on social media to contact us.”

The vandals mostly shot out rear windscreens, or the smaller windows close by.

A number of residents say they have been left out of pocket as a result of the vandalism, with one pensioner saying the scale of the attack has left her fearing for her safety.

Police investigating the vandalism want to hear from anyone who may be able to help their investigation. Call 101 or 0800 555111.Tile Hill.

Airgun thugs attack more cars in Coventry

Vandals armed with an air weapon have trashed even more vehicles in Coventry.

Another four cars had their windows shot out in the west of the city – days after more than 50 cars were damaged in the Tile Hill area.

Police haven’t ruled out links between the incidents, but say it’s too early to say for certain. They are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

A Peugeot van, in Whoberley Avenue; a Citreon C1, in Lyndale Road; and a BMW 5 series in Allesley Old Road were all damaged between 7pm and 9.45pm on Saturday.

Another vehicle, a Nissan Juke, also in Allesley Old Road, was damaged at some point over the weekend.

Whoberley councillor Bally Singh (Lab) said: “I’m saddened to hear of further attacks on cars in the Whoberley ward over the weekend.

“Residents are rightly concerned for the safety of their vehicles, so I have asked the local police and council neighbourhood teams to look into this urgently, as well as examine any potential CCTV.

“I urge anyone with information, no matter how trivial they think it is, to contact the police.

“Let’s hope these offenders are caught soon so that this doesn’t happen again.”

A spokesman said: “Officers are investigating and are making inquiries in the area but, at this stage, it is too early to say if this recent spate is linked to the 50 plus vehicles targeted earlier last week.”

Anyone with information about either incident should call Coventry Police on 101. Alternatively if people wish to remain anonymous, they should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

The police always have a difficult call to make on these types of crime.

If they reveal what they think happened, there is always the risk of copycat actions.

If the perpetrators are caught, what's the betting they only get a slap on the wrist?

Face ache is rife with comments about this happening again last night, but over different areas of the city.

Two arrested over Whoberley car vandal attacks

Police have arrested two people in connection with recent spate of vandalism in Coventry.

The men, aged 26 and 19, were arrested on Friday after 35 cars were targeted in Whoberley overnight between September 27-28.

The pair were arrested in Tile Hill and Earlsdon after a car similar to the one used in the attack was spotted by officers.

Insp Suzanne Baker said: “We are still in the early stages of an investigation and it is too soon to say whether we will be speaking to the pair over an earlier series of shots being fired at vehicles, which took place on 2-3 September.

“I hope these arrests demonstrate how seriously we are taking these crimes and our determination to bring whoever is responsible to justice. I’d also like to thank the public for all their help.”

The pair have been bailed until November.

I'd have thought they'd remained locked-up for their own protection? I should imagine there are a fair number of car owners looking for revenge.