RESIDENTS of an independent living community are frightened to leave their vehicles in their designated car park because vandals have been making their lives a misery.
Cars parked in Spring Garden have been damaged before, but vandalism reached new heights on Friday when an 89 year old resident’s car was left undriveable after being targeted during the night.
A Spring Garden resident said: “They took off one of the back wheels, smashed both wing mirrors and the driver’s side window, half dragged off the back bumper, and ripped out the ignition.”
According to the resident, previous vandalism around five months ago saw around 10 vehicles damaged over time, with tyres let down and windscreen wipers snapped.
“This is a community of vulnerable older people,” said the resident.
“They are afraid to use the car park now, and are resorting to leaving their cars on grass verges nearer to their homes.”
The resident explained that following previous acts of vandalism, a camera had been installed to capture the antisocial behaviour on film.
“The damage stopped for around five months, but now the camera has gone, and the vandals are back,” they said.
“The area is dark, and residents would like Wokingham Borough Council to install more lighting in the area, but they say it’s too costly.”
Thames Valley Police confirmed they had been contacted: “The damage was reported the following morning, and our officers have spoken to the aggrieved and to the reporting person, a warden at the address.
“We have ascertained that there is no CCTV available from the area, but we would appeal to anybody who believes that they witnessed the incident, which occurred at some time in the early hours of Friday, January 17, to please contact Thames Valley Police on 101, quoting reference 43250026073.”
A council spokesperson said: “We take the safety and security of our residents very seriously.
“We are working with residents and the wider community to support them and look at any additional safety measures which may be required.
“Any crime reduction measures, actions or steps identified to improve safety or reduce opportunities for crime or anti-social behaviour will be considered.
“The recent vandalism at Spring Gardens has been reported to Thames Valley Police and we are working with them to support the residents to feel safe and secure in their homes.”
For help on preventing this type of vehicle crime, people can visit: thamesvalley.police.uk
