What can I do/what would you do about car being vandalised
Discussion
A week ago I moved into a new flat (picture a row of large converted Victorian terraced houses, mine is on the top floor, with the front of the property looking out over the rows of off road spaces below and then the road beyond.)
My car has been parked below my window and yesterday morning I came out to find a deep gouge from the bonnet all the way down the wing, door and around over the boot. It had clearly been keyed deliberately.
Furious, but with nothing to go on, I walked the length of the road to see if any other cars had damage but it was only mine.
I went out last night and arrived back at around 1am. Once in, I opened the large sash window at the front room of my flat for a cigarette, with the light off so it wouldn't have been obvious to see me doing so from the street unless you looked up.
Just as I was finishing, a man walked briskly infront, removed his front door keys, gave them an extremely violent and forceful drag across the boot of my car and walked to the front door of the terraced house next door and began to open it!!!! So my new neighbor had done this and I've just caught him red handed.
I shouted immediately out of the window that id seen it, he looked up, shocked, and hurried into his house.
I went down in quite frankly a rage and banged on his door for several minutes screaming/swearing and demanding he came out and face me. Eventually he came to the door through the letterbox and said "I don't know what you thought you saw but it wasn't me, I'm calling the police you're threatening me."
Within half an hour there are two police officers in my front room answering his complaint!! However after explaining the situation I think i can safely say they were on my side. Having gone back into next door, he denied it all, and the police officers have said without a confession, it's your word against his and realistically here is nothing we can do.
And that was that.
I saw him do it and am 100% sure of what I saw. Extremely upset, has left a very sour taste in what has been a lovely exciting experience of moving in to a new place in a decent area, and has completely ruined my otherwise pristine car.
So what can I do now?!! Just live with it?! Obviously now the police are aware any kind of personal pursuit of a "resolution" wouldn't be an option.
What would you do?
My car has been parked below my window and yesterday morning I came out to find a deep gouge from the bonnet all the way down the wing, door and around over the boot. It had clearly been keyed deliberately.
Furious, but with nothing to go on, I walked the length of the road to see if any other cars had damage but it was only mine.
I went out last night and arrived back at around 1am. Once in, I opened the large sash window at the front room of my flat for a cigarette, with the light off so it wouldn't have been obvious to see me doing so from the street unless you looked up.
Just as I was finishing, a man walked briskly infront, removed his front door keys, gave them an extremely violent and forceful drag across the boot of my car and walked to the front door of the terraced house next door and began to open it!!!! So my new neighbor had done this and I've just caught him red handed.
I shouted immediately out of the window that id seen it, he looked up, shocked, and hurried into his house.
I went down in quite frankly a rage and banged on his door for several minutes screaming/swearing and demanding he came out and face me. Eventually he came to the door through the letterbox and said "I don't know what you thought you saw but it wasn't me, I'm calling the police you're threatening me."
Within half an hour there are two police officers in my front room answering his complaint!! However after explaining the situation I think i can safely say they were on my side. Having gone back into next door, he denied it all, and the police officers have said without a confession, it's your word against his and realistically here is nothing we can do.
And that was that.
I saw him do it and am 100% sure of what I saw. Extremely upset, has left a very sour taste in what has been a lovely exciting experience of moving in to a new place in a decent area, and has completely ruined my otherwise pristine car.
So what can I do now?!! Just live with it?! Obviously now the police are aware any kind of personal pursuit of a "resolution" wouldn't be an option.
What would you do?
Had it where I once lived . Caught a teenage girl red handed doing £3k of damage to my car. She didn't even give a s
t - just gave me a mouthful and walked off. Neighbour knew who she was and where she lived but police couldn't have cared less - they had more important matters to attend to, like bus lane enforcement exercises. Only solution was to spend as little as possible getting my car into a roadworthy condition and sorting it properly after I'd moved somewhere else. Wouldn't live anywhere without a garage now - spent too many nights lying awake, jumping out of my skin every time I heard the tiniest of noises.
t - just gave me a mouthful and walked off. Neighbour knew who she was and where she lived but police couldn't have cared less - they had more important matters to attend to, like bus lane enforcement exercises. Only solution was to spend as little as possible getting my car into a roadworthy condition and sorting it properly after I'd moved somewhere else. Wouldn't live anywhere without a garage now - spent too many nights lying awake, jumping out of my skin every time I heard the tiniest of noises.Sorry for your misfortune op. I’m not a powerful built company director. I would be waiting for him one night to come home though.
Make it plain and simple understood that if the car gets anymore scratches his face will need stictching up.
You don’t have to mean it or do it but simply put the fear of god in to him that you will be sat in a pub having a pint while one of your mates does him some serious harm.
I’m not advocating you do it in the slightest but from experience the people that do this kind of thing are generally cowards (he’s already demonstrated he’s no hard man by running in to his house, refusing to come out and called the police to resolve the conflict when you caught him) and don’t want physical confrontation. You threaten him now his anonymity has been taken away and there is a good chance he will st bricks and sulk away quietly.
Just my opinion. Take it or leave it. But I hope you get it sorted.
Make it plain and simple understood that if the car gets anymore scratches his face will need stictching up.
You don’t have to mean it or do it but simply put the fear of god in to him that you will be sat in a pub having a pint while one of your mates does him some serious harm.
I’m not advocating you do it in the slightest but from experience the people that do this kind of thing are generally cowards (he’s already demonstrated he’s no hard man by running in to his house, refusing to come out and called the police to resolve the conflict when you caught him) and don’t want physical confrontation. You threaten him now his anonymity has been taken away and there is a good chance he will s
t bricks and sulk away quietly. Just my opinion. Take it or leave it. But I hope you get it sorted.
No car of his own... just my car down there with multiple empty spaces either side. I've just found out that this man is moving out from next door within a week.
WHY DO IT?!!
Along with the damage, I'm almost as furious as they way he could stand there and deny it to my face and to the police
WHY DO IT?!!
Along with the damage, I'm almost as furious as they way he could stand there and deny it to my face and to the police
Option 1:
Get two quotes for the repairs, take them round to him (or post it through his letterbox) - if you're not sure of his name contact the police information controller - include a polite letter explaining you'll give him 7 days to pay before you take it to small claims court. If he fails to comply, take him to court.
Option 2:
Contact the police with your crime number, ask to speak to the duty inspector to find out why, if you're an eyewitness they've not pursued this. It's readily solvable, there's clear threat, harm and risk, and the excuse of 'one word against another's' in insufficient in this case. If you have no luck here, escalate to the divisional commander/your local councillor/MP/ the PCC etc.
Which force area are you in?
Get two quotes for the repairs, take them round to him (or post it through his letterbox) - if you're not sure of his name contact the police information controller - include a polite letter explaining you'll give him 7 days to pay before you take it to small claims court. If he fails to comply, take him to court.
Option 2:
Contact the police with your crime number, ask to speak to the duty inspector to find out why, if you're an eyewitness they've not pursued this. It's readily solvable, there's clear threat, harm and risk, and the excuse of 'one word against another's' in insufficient in this case. If you have no luck here, escalate to the divisional commander/your local councillor/MP/ the PCC etc.
Which force area are you in?
MB140 said:
Sorry for your misfortune op. I’m not a powerful built company director. I would be waiting for him one night to come home though.
Make it plain and simple understood that if the car gets anymore scratches his face will need stictching up.
You don’t have to mean it or do it but simply put the fear of god in to him that you will be sat in a pub having a pint while one of your mates does him some serious harm.
I’m not advocating you do it in the slightest but from experience the people that do this kind of thing are generally cowards (he’s already demonstrated he’s no hard man by running in to his house, refusing to come out and called the police to resolve the conflict when you caught him) and don’t want physical confrontation. You threaten him now his anonymity has been taken away and there is a good chance he will st bricks and sulk away quietly.
Just my opinion. Take it or leave it. But I hope you get it sorted.
He’s already been to the Police once, you moron! Doing that would get the OP arrested in short order.Make it plain and simple understood that if the car gets anymore scratches his face will need stictching up.
You don’t have to mean it or do it but simply put the fear of god in to him that you will be sat in a pub having a pint while one of your mates does him some serious harm.
I’m not advocating you do it in the slightest but from experience the people that do this kind of thing are generally cowards (he’s already demonstrated he’s no hard man by running in to his house, refusing to come out and called the police to resolve the conflict when you caught him) and don’t want physical confrontation. You threaten him now his anonymity has been taken away and there is a good chance he will s
t bricks and sulk away quietly. Just my opinion. Take it or leave it. But I hope you get it sorted.
JulianHJ said:
Option 1:
Get two quotes for the repairs, take them round to him (or post it through his letterbox) - if you're not sure of his name contact the police information controller - include a polite letter explaining you'll give him 7 days to pay before you take it to small claims court. If he fails to comply, take him to court.
Option 2:
Contact the police with your crime number, ask to speak to the duty inspector to find out why, if you're an eyewitness they've not pursued this. It's readily solvable, there's clear threat, harm and risk, and the excuse of 'one word against another's' in insufficient in this case. If you have no luck here, escalate to the divisional commander/your local councillor/MP/ the PCC etc.
Which force area are you in?
Go straight for option 2. There'd probably still have been traces of paint from the op's car on the neighbours keys on the night - long gone now. Its should have been a CPS decision not to pursue the matter - not the attending officers. The OP should also have a second crime number in relation to the first damage caused.Get two quotes for the repairs, take them round to him (or post it through his letterbox) - if you're not sure of his name contact the police information controller - include a polite letter explaining you'll give him 7 days to pay before you take it to small claims court. If he fails to comply, take him to court.
Option 2:
Contact the police with your crime number, ask to speak to the duty inspector to find out why, if you're an eyewitness they've not pursued this. It's readily solvable, there's clear threat, harm and risk, and the excuse of 'one word against another's' in insufficient in this case. If you have no luck here, escalate to the divisional commander/your local councillor/MP/ the PCC etc.
Which force area are you in?
Police won't spend resources on what they regard as petty vandalism; at least they didn't when I witnessed a drunk running up the bonnet of my car and jumping on the roof. I gave a full description of him and his two mates, they did fk all, even though the three had also smashed a shop window along the street - and they wonder why the public lack respect for them.
k all, even though the three had also smashed a shop window along the street - and they wonder why the public lack respect for them.This is why the Police get so little respect.
If the had collected the evidence (keys) at the time a simple match of the paint on them and the ops car and job done. No sign of any paint on keys when looked at by officers and then sorry no evidence you word against his, suck it up we don't care.
The old I get the harder I find it to support such a shower.
If the had collected the evidence (keys) at the time a simple match of the paint on them and the ops car and job done. No sign of any paint on keys when looked at by officers and then sorry no evidence you word against his, suck it up we don't care.
The old I get the harder I find it to support such a shower.
I’ve been watching some older Interceptors today, and almost every “story” ended in found not guilty, despite evidence been quite obvious... ie, helicopter camera witnessing said act and absolutely no break in video feed until person is arrested.
Another, Hgv driver witnesses people stealing diesel, plod there in 5 mins, 3 guys in a van with drums of diesel , all arrested but found not guilty.
Either the police are truly fking up the evidence submissions or the courts lack balls.
I’ve always been very pro police, but really, what is the point in been an honest citizen when others are not yet get away with it 99% of the time?
Re the OP... amazing how they speak to about harassment and threatening behaviour when it’s just his word against yours but won’t when it’s yours against him for the damage. Complain, complain and complain, to your MP and the press if needs be.
Another, Hgv driver witnesses people stealing diesel, plod there in 5 mins, 3 guys in a van with drums of diesel , all arrested but found not guilty.
Either the police are truly f
king up the evidence submissions or the courts lack balls.I’ve always been very pro police, but really, what is the point in been an honest citizen when others are not yet get away with it 99% of the time?
Re the OP... amazing how they speak to about harassment and threatening behaviour when it’s just his word against yours but won’t when it’s yours against him for the damage. Complain, complain and complain, to your MP and the press if needs be.
I've had a rough estimate of the cost of repair and decided I'm going to knock again shortly, or wait until I see him outside, and make it very clear he has two options - have the money to me within 5 days or I shall pursue it fully and with full vigour with the two separate crime numbers I now have, plus other witnesses (my partner.) If anything to cause as much inconvenience and hassle as possible.
I also hear he is moving out next week. I will ensure the car is parked in such a way as to cause maximum difficulty in him removing belongings and furniture from his flat and will stand there and watch for any damage done to the car. No other course of action I can see without hassle for me
I also hear he is moving out next week. I will ensure the car is parked in such a way as to cause maximum difficulty in him removing belongings and furniture from his flat and will stand there and watch for any damage done to the car. No other course of action I can see without hassle for me
Zod said:
MB140 said:
Sorry for your misfortune op. I’m not a powerful built company director. I would be waiting for him one night to come home though.
Make it plain and simple understood that if the car gets anymore scratches his face will need stictching up.
You don’t have to mean it or do it but simply put the fear of god in to him that you will be sat in a pub having a pint while one of your mates does him some serious harm.
I’m not advocating you do it in the slightest but from experience the people that do this kind of thing are generally cowards (he’s already demonstrated he’s no hard man by running in to his house, refusing to come out and called the police to resolve the conflict when you caught him) and don’t want physical confrontation. You threaten him now his anonymity has been taken away and there is a good chance he will st bricks and sulk away quietly.
Just my opinion. Take it or leave it. But I hope you get it sorted.
He’s already been to the Police once, you moron! Doing that would get the OP arrested in short order.Make it plain and simple understood that if the car gets anymore scratches his face will need stictching up.
You don’t have to mean it or do it but simply put the fear of god in to him that you will be sat in a pub having a pint while one of your mates does him some serious harm.
I’m not advocating you do it in the slightest but from experience the people that do this kind of thing are generally cowards (he’s already demonstrated he’s no hard man by running in to his house, refusing to come out and called the police to resolve the conflict when you caught him) and don’t want physical confrontation. You threaten him now his anonymity has been taken away and there is a good chance he will s
t bricks and sulk away quietly. Just my opinion. Take it or leave it. But I hope you get it sorted.
Police come knocking on the op door. Just deny it saying the neighbour is just out to cause trouble as you (the op)reported him for vandalising the car. What the police going to do about it, sweet f
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