More pointless vandalism.
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Discussion

shouldbworking

Original Poster:

4,801 posts

242 months

Tuesday 23rd January 2007
quotequote all
Visiting some friends tonight in the odd down area of Bath. I as usual parked my car on a road with no parking troubles (no annoyed residents), directly under a streetlight. As im walking to meet my friends I hear the pre-pubescent voice shouting 'hey, poof, come over here' etc. I guess it was directed towards me, but I dont know - didnt look. This was from the doorway of the local 'youth centre', where you often see a few chavs hanging about.

Return to my car later to find both wing mirrors smashed off and the aerial ripped off. Its not light to see any other damage.

A returning resident sees me staring in disbelief at the damage and say that its all too common, points out the neighbourhood watch leaders house (about 10 metres from where the car was parked)... get the feeling shes seen this before.

I'll go through the usual reporting a minor crime bullshit, but I am asking myself why bother. This is a common event according to my friends, the police are going to know who it was but be unable to act due to insufficient evidence and feel frustrated or indifferent at their lack of ability to help and itll make no difference. Ill still have a damaged car I have to pay to repair for no reason at all.

I know this is a story thats being repeated daily on here and everywhere else, but that doesnt mean its ok.

fluffnik

20,156 posts

257 months

Wednesday 24th January 2007
quotequote all
shouldbworking said:

I know this is a story thats being repeated daily on here and everywhere else, but that doesnt mean its ok.


Real crime, real victim[1], opportunity to use technology to good purpose...

Where's the profit in that?

[1] Victims in fact, millions of them; every single person with motor insurance owes these scrotes a slap.

shouldbworking

Original Poster:

4,801 posts

242 months

Wednesday 24th January 2007
quotequote all
Small follow up and a question

After filling in the website form et all I got a call from Avon & Somerset Constabulary who asked me all the same things id answered on the form, thanks for the information, probable result will be a check for CCTV in the area and possible door to door enquiries.

Just wondering - how come they asked it all again? seperate computer systems?

havoc

33,483 posts

265 months

Wednesday 24th January 2007
quotequote all
Similar thing happened to the wife's car over Xmas.

Visiting friends in Stratford-on-Avon (allegedly a nice town, just like Bath), drove into the centre, parked on a residential street, went in for a meal and drinks. Came back at 11.30 to find the n/s wingmirror had been given such a kick that it had dented the front wing. furious

We've now replaced the wingmirror out of our own pocket but didn't want to claim off insurance for any of it, as that would get rid of the wife's NCB protection (1 50:50 already), which over 3-5 years would probably cost us a lot more than the loss in resale value on a 5y.o. Fiesta.


According to the nice lady on the police desk that night, it's the latest 'craze' in S-o-A, and we should feel lucky both mirrors weren't done!!!
eek mad WTF?!?
(PS - I don't blame the police per-se, they've clearly not got the resources. But I do feel some responsibility lies with their senior management and the politicians who decided that CCTV was the great crime-fighting tool...shout IT DOESN'T WORK IN THE DARK YOU MORONS!!!!)

redgriff500

28,982 posts

293 months

Wednesday 24th January 2007
quotequote all
I've had this and LOADS more recently...

ALWAYS report it... if no one reports it, they think there isn't any crime...

If everyone reports it then they may finally admit there is a problem, and it screws up their targets.

cooperman

4,428 posts

280 months

Wednesday 24th January 2007
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Don't worry, the gov't's new 'Respect Areas' initiative will end all of this overnight!

catso

16,526 posts

297 months

Wednesday 24th January 2007
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redgriff500 said:

If everyone reports it then they may finally admit there is a problem, and it screws up their targets.


Or set up more Speed Cameras to increase the crime clear up rate......... rolleyes

MR2Mike

20,143 posts

285 months

Wednesday 24th January 2007
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I seriously belive castration should be imposed for repeat offenders. Need to get these scum out of the gene pool ASAP.

smiler.

11,752 posts

260 months

Wednesday 24th January 2007
quotequote all
Surely a good whipping would suffice. Logical for a number of reasons:

1. 90% of fearless chavy scotes would think twice before such action if they thought there was a real chance of 'punishment' (type that into google Balir you chinless knob & see what the definition reads).

2. The victim would feel that appropriate justice has been dispensed & not loose respect for the wider authority of law & order.

3. It is definitely a lesser infringement of the perps 'human rights' than if he is/was caught in the act by the victim, as liquidised food & the prospect of fatherhood removed for life *

* assuming it is a male

PS Sorry to the OP for the grief to your car.

ETA That for point 3 above, the last part does tie in with MR2Mikes idea yes


Edited by smiler. on Wednesday 24th January 12:48

Captain Muppet

8,540 posts

295 months

Wednesday 24th January 2007
quotequote all
I had a similar incident, except they smashed my face, not my car.

As said above CCTV does nothing in the dark, so zero chance of a prosecution.

I'm trying to find a new nose for a '71 muppet, if anyone has one, let me know. I'd claim on insurance, but I'd get written off.

chrispy porker

17,730 posts

258 months

Wednesday 24th January 2007
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I worked in Bath for 12 years.
I wouldn't leave my car unattended anywhere in that area.
Sad maybe, but true.

nobleguy

7,133 posts

245 months

Thursday 25th January 2007
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catso said:
redgriff500 said:

If everyone reports it then they may finally admit there is a problem, and it screws up their targets.


Or set up more Speed Cameras to increase the crime clear up rate......... rolleyes


Yep. They just don't give a shit how this kind of stuff affects people.
Makes me so angry that they get away with it every time.

Fidgits

17,202 posts

259 months

Thursday 25th January 2007
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chrispy porker said:
I worked in Bath for 12 years.
I wouldn't leave my car unattended anywhere in that area.
Sad maybe, but true.

yeah, lovely city, gone to the dogs..

off_again

13,917 posts

264 months

Thursday 25th January 2007
quotequote all
Fidgits said:
chrispy porker said:
I worked in Bath for 12 years.
I wouldn't leave my car unattended anywhere in that area.
Sad maybe, but true.

yeah, lovely city, gone to the dogs..


Yep, I avoid the place as much as I can. If I need to go there then its via the train - wouldnt trust anywhere if I had to leave my car there.... and yes, its very sad....

james_j

3,996 posts

285 months

Thursday 25th January 2007
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There's no fit punishment in the UK for such waste of space and the prisons are full anyway, often with people who have committed white collar-type crimes who perhaps shouldn't be there; so scum like this probably won't go to prison if their crimes are the type to be downgraded rage I see more BIB sitting in camera vans than patrolling the streets anyway and they're certainly not manning the many closed BIB stations...