Reward offered in tyre slasher case
8:00am Saturday 23rd February 2013 in Latest News
A mechanic attends to a slashed tyre in Dixon Street yesterday
THE leader of Swindon Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner have pledged a £500 reward for information on the car tyre vandal dubbed the ‘Swindon slasher’.
Coun Rod Bluh and fellow Tory Angus Macpherson have teamed up to see that whoever is responsible for the widespread criminal damage of more than 90 vehicles in the Old Town and town centre area is brought to swift justice.
As of yesterday, Wiltshire Police had received almost 90 separate reports from owners of vehicles which have been damaged – many of whom had all four tyres slashed.
Coun Bluh (Con, Old Town) said: “I was appalled when I heard the news and this is completely unacceptable. I don’t understand the mentality of a person who would do it once let alone 150 times.
“The police commissioner and I are putting up the reward to get someone to come forward and send out a message the we will not stand for this on our patch.
“Someone in our community committed this wanton criminal damage and there are 90 victims of crime who are facing the costs and people don’t need this right now.”
Wiltshire Police is maintaining increased patrols following the large scale criminal damage to vehicles, but distanced themselves from the reward offer.
A spokesman said: “Wiltshire Police is not associated with this offer of a reward in connection with this incident.
“A thorough police investigation is ongoing and increased patrols from both the local Neighbourhood Policing Team and investigators from the Priority Crime Team remain in the area.”
Vehicles parked on several residential streets between Swindon town centre and Old Town were damaged between 3am and 5am on Thursday morning.
The affected roads included Stafford Street, Dixon Street, Prospect Hill, East Street, Wood Street, Evelyn Street, North Street, Raggett Street, Westlecot Road and Berenger Close.
East Sector Inspector Joseph Saunders said that several lines of enquiry were underway and that CCTV from local businesses in the area was being examined.
He said: “This investigation is still very much active and we maintain an increased presence in the affected areas.
“We also had extra patrols on throughout the night and this morning.
“I would continue to urge anyone who has had their vehicle damaged to contact Wiltshire Police so that each crime is logged in the correct way.
“I am also keen to hear from anyone who might have any information on this incident or might have seen anything unusual throughout Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Wiltshire Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers, where information can be left anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Comments(45)
semitonic
says...
9:54am Sat 23 Feb 13
Although I wasn't one of the unfortunate victims I'd be really delighted if I read in the Adver that the perpetrators were found kicked to death in an alley somewhere.
Morsey
says...
9:55am Sat 23 Feb 13
Tim Newroman
says...
10:04am Sat 23 Feb 13
Morsey wrote:Bail? I sincerely hope that isn't the case. Talk about insult to injury.
I understand from the radio that two halfwits were arrested and given bail? One hopes that they are being kept safe, but the possibility of retribution by victims is ... maybe safer to ask to be remanded? Still, it's progress ain't it?
Although, they are seriously at risk once people find out who they are... and it won't take long.
semitonic
says...
10:08am Sat 23 Feb 13
Big Boss Man
says...
10:09am Sat 23 Feb 13
Although, they are seriously at risk once people find out who they are... and it won't take long.
It may take a while
Tim Newroman
says...
10:10am Sat 23 Feb 13
semitonic wrote:That can't last forever. Whoever did this really has no idea what they've let themselves in for. A short jail spell, not that they'll get one, would certainly be the very least of their worries right now.
They'd probably be given police protection, which we'd be paying for. How ironic.
Wellfire
says...
10:14am Sat 23 Feb 13
Hmmmf
says...
10:21am Sat 23 Feb 13
whaddahey?!
says...
10:23am Sat 23 Feb 13
I Could Do That
says...
10:25am Sat 23 Feb 13
Calls for increased policing have gone unheeded
I suspect any funds, that may have enabled extra policing, were lost in the campaign to elect and employ a political chief commissioner
Tim Newroman
says...
10:54am Sat 23 Feb 13
Big Boss Man wrote:Really, what makes you think that? Two people have already been arrested.
Although, they are seriously at risk once people find out who they are... and it won't take long.
It may take a while
Tim Newroman
says...
10:56am Sat 23 Feb 13
Wellfire wrote:Wellfire, the only aspect of this case that's guaranteed is that the sentence handed down by the magistrate or judge will not even come close to reflecting the devastation and expense caused to hundreds of people by the criminals concerned.
A relative of mine lives and has a business in one of the affected streets and has suffered a number of instances of vandalism in recent years. Calls for increased policing have gone unheeded, so maybe some good will result from this incident. As for the knuckle draggers who did this, will the courts for once do their duty and administer an appropriate, i.e. severe, sentence?
They won't even be charged with the full raft of crimes they have committed, let alone receive an appropriate sentence.
This is one of those times where the hundred or so people involved will have to ensure that proper justice is seen to be done.
Localboy86
says...
12:23pm Sat 23 Feb 13
Tim Newroman wrote:Ridiculs comment, stirring up trouble when in reality your just a keyboard warrior
Wellfire wrote:Wellfire, the only aspect of this case that's guaranteed is that the sentence handed down by the magistrate or judge will not even come close to reflecting the devastation and expense caused to hundreds of people by the criminals concerned.
A relative of mine lives and has a business in one of the affected streets and has suffered a number of instances of vandalism in recent years. Calls for increased policing have gone unheeded, so maybe some good will result from this incident. As for the knuckle draggers who did this, will the courts for once do their duty and administer an appropriate, i.e. severe, sentence?
They won't even be charged with the full raft of crimes they have committed, let alone receive an appropriate sentence.
This is one of those times where the hundred or so people involved will have to ensure that proper justice is seen to be done.
Tim Newroman
says...
12:28pm Sat 23 Feb 13
Localboy86 wrote:What will happen will happen, doesn't make any difference what's posted on this website.
Tim Newroman wrote:Ridiculs comment, stirring up trouble when in reality your just a keyboard warrior
Wellfire wrote:Wellfire, the only aspect of this case that's guaranteed is that the sentence handed down by the magistrate or judge will not even come close to reflecting the devastation and expense caused to hundreds of people by the criminals concerned.
A relative of mine lives and has a business in one of the affected streets and has suffered a number of instances of vandalism in recent years. Calls for increased policing have gone unheeded, so maybe some good will result from this incident. As for the knuckle draggers who did this, will the courts for once do their duty and administer an appropriate, i.e. severe, sentence?
They won't even be charged with the full raft of crimes they have committed, let alone receive an appropriate sentence.
This is one of those times where the hundred or so people involved will have to ensure that proper justice is seen to be done.
You don't actually know anything about me... and it's you who is coming across as the embittered little man hiding behind his Internet connection.
You probably weren't even affected by the tyre slashing criminality. Mind you, you do seem to stand up for criminals fairly regularly, maybe you know who did it.
Localboy86
says...
12:47pm Sat 23 Feb 13
Tim Newroman
says...
12:54pm Sat 23 Feb 13
Localboy86 wrote:Oh, the irony.
Don't see how I have ever stood up for criminals, just think the police should be left to do there job. I also think you and your moany old friends should stop filling this site with vile rants, you make Swindon look bad.
MrAngry
says...
1:30pm Sat 23 Feb 13
In practice they will get away with a slap on the wrist and a few hours community service.
MrAngry
says...
1:34pm Sat 23 Feb 13
semitonic wrote:We will also get to pay Rob Ross's fees to defend them.
They'd probably be given police protection, which we'd be paying for. How ironic.
Fartim Poster
says...
2:12pm Sat 23 Feb 13
Localboy86 wrote:Take no notice.
Don't see how I have ever stood up for criminals, just think the police should be left to do there job. I also think you and your moany old friends should stop filling this site with vile rants, you make Swindon look bad.
Your original comment was correct
stu2010
says...
2:21pm Sat 23 Feb 13
semitonic wrote:£500 ? I'd shop my own mother for that!
This is a good move but I'm not sure £500 would be enough to get someone to spill the beans on one of their mates. I think it's more likely a parent will find out it's one of their halfwit children and hand them in.
Although I wasn't one of the unfortunate victims I'd be really delighted if I read in the Adver that the perpetrators were found kicked to death in an alley somewhere.
Amberflame
says...
4:04pm Sat 23 Feb 13
semitonic wrote:Really?
This is a good move but I'm not sure £500 would be enough to get someone to spill the beans on one of their mates. I think it's more likely a parent will find out it's one of their halfwit children and hand them in.
Although I wasn't one of the unfortunate victims I'd be really delighted if I read in the Adver that the perpetrators were found kicked to death in an alley somewhere.
You don't think your bloodthirsty comment is over the top??
roberto5
says...
4:12pm Sat 23 Feb 13
stu2010 wrote:LOL I would do it for a £5!
semitonic wrote:£500 ? I'd shop my own mother for that!
This is a good move but I'm not sure £500 would be enough to get someone to spill the beans on one of their mates. I think it's more likely a parent will find out it's one of their halfwit children and hand them in.
Although I wasn't one of the unfortunate victims I'd be really delighted if I read in the Adver that the perpetrators were found kicked to death in an alley somewhere.
Tim Newroman
says...
4:27pm Sat 23 Feb 13
Amberflame wrote:Just shows how sick and tired of these types of criminals the public really are.
semitonic wrote:Really?
This is a good move but I'm not sure £500 would be enough to get someone to spill the beans on one of their mates. I think it's more likely a parent will find out it's one of their halfwit children and hand them in.
Although I wasn't one of the unfortunate victims I'd be really delighted if I read in the Adver that the perpetrators were found kicked to death in an alley somewhere.
You don't think your bloodthirsty comment is over the top??
It also highlights that justice is rarely ever seen to be done in our courts.
Things will really turn nasty for the criminals concerned once the eventual court sentence is announced.
Should they die for what they did? Probably not. But, then, we wouldn't be asking the question had they not been such *****. It was their decision to do what they did, now they will have to face the consequences.
semitonic
says...
6:26pm Sat 23 Feb 13
Amberflame wrote:No.
semitonic wrote:Really?
This is a good move but I'm not sure £500 would be enough to get someone to spill the beans on one of their mates. I think it's more likely a parent will find out it's one of their halfwit children and hand them in.
Although I wasn't one of the unfortunate victims I'd be really delighted if I read in the Adver that the perpetrators were found kicked to death in an alley somewhere.
You don't think your bloodthirsty comment is over the top??
Phantom Poster
says...
8:03pm Sat 23 Feb 13
Tim Newroman wrote:Presumably you don't understand the law regarding incitement to violence? You haven't heard of people being arrested for posting such things?
Wellfire wrote:Wellfire, the only aspect of this case that's guaranteed is that the sentence handed down by the magistrate or judge will not even come close to reflecting the devastation and expense caused to hundreds of people by the criminals concerned.
A relative of mine lives and has a business in one of the affected streets and has suffered a number of instances of vandalism in recent years. Calls for increased policing have gone unheeded, so maybe some good will result from this incident. As for the knuckle draggers who did this, will the courts for once do their duty and administer an appropriate, i.e. severe, sentence?
They won't even be charged with the full raft of crimes they have committed, let alone receive an appropriate sentence.
This is one of those times where the hundred or so people involved will have to ensure that proper justice is seen to be done.
semitonic
says...
10:41pm Sat 23 Feb 13
They deliberately set out to annoy and disrupt the lives of as many people as they possibly could on the way home from the pub.
How else would they expect hard working victims to react?
I do hope they are given a jolly good kicking in a dark alley, screaming for their mums before swallowing their own teeth.
let_breathe_clean_air
says...
11:12pm Sat 23 Feb 13
Not happy and stressed ?? why not just take a stroll or catch the bus or train, or even learn to ride a bike.
let_breathe_clean_air
says...
11:29pm Sat 23 Feb 13
roberto5 wrote:For £500 I would buy the biggest bag of weed in the whole wide world and share and with everyone in Swindon. You all are invited including the Council and the Crime Commissioner for kindly pledging the reward. Of course I do not inhale personally.
stu2010 wrote:LOL I would do it for a £5!
semitonic wrote:£500 ? I'd shop my own mother for that!
This is a good move but I'm not sure £500 would be enough to get someone to spill the beans on one of their mates. I think it's more likely a parent will find out it's one of their halfwit children and hand them in.
Although I wasn't one of the unfortunate victims I'd be really delighted if I read in the Adver that the perpetrators were found kicked to death in an alley somewhere.
semitonic
says...
10:07am Sun 24 Feb 13
Tim Newroman
says...
5:27pm Sun 24 Feb 13
Phantom Poster wrote:There is not law of 'Inctiement to violence', it was abolished on 1 October 2008.
Tim Newroman wrote:Presumably you don't understand the law regarding incitement to violence? You haven't heard of people being arrested for posting such things?
Wellfire wrote:Wellfire, the only aspect of this case that's guaranteed is that the sentence handed down by the magistrate or judge will not even come close to reflecting the devastation and expense caused to hundreds of people by the criminals concerned.
A relative of mine lives and has a business in one of the affected streets and has suffered a number of instances of vandalism in recent years. Calls for increased policing have gone unheeded, so maybe some good will result from this incident. As for the knuckle draggers who did this, will the courts for once do their duty and administer an appropriate, i.e. severe, sentence?
They won't even be charged with the full raft of crimes they have committed, let alone receive an appropriate sentence.
This is one of those times where the hundred or so people involved will have to ensure that proper justice is seen to be done.
Also, I'm not sure why you assume that my comment about 'ensuring that proper justice is seen to be done' might involve anything other than correct us of legal avenues.
My position is very clear: it would, of course, be truly frightful if any harm were to befall the people who carried out these crimes. Really, I'd find it deeply upsetting and concerning. Very much so.
I Could Do That
says...
9:15am Mon 25 Feb 13
Tim Newroman
says...
9:21am Mon 25 Feb 13
I Could Do That wrote:Insightful as ever.
Wow
I Could Do That
says...
9:26am Mon 25 Feb 13
Tim Newroman wrote:Wow
I Could Do That wrote:Insightful as ever.
Wow
Tim Newroman
says...
9:32am Mon 25 Feb 13
I Could Do That wrote:Why do you even bother?
Tim Newroman wrote:Wow
I Could Do That wrote:Insightful as ever.
Wow
I Could Do That
says...
9:41am Mon 25 Feb 13
Jeremy Hilary Boob
says...
9:42am Mon 25 Feb 13
So what on earth was Inspector Knacker doing between 3.30-5am? It's not as though there were tons of people out on the streets at that time - send a couple of cars to the vicinity and if you see someone on the streets ask them what they're doing. Hardly rocket science!!
Tim Newroman
says...
9:48am Mon 25 Feb 13
I do agree, though, it is incredible how a couple of people can essentially run riot - and commit 100 to 150 serious crimes - through a contained urban area for 3 hours without being challenged by anyone or picked up by the police.
semitonic
says...
10:42am Mon 25 Feb 13
Phantom Poster
says...
10:44pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Tim Newroman wrote:Why? Do you honestly expect a policemen on every street corner?
@Jeremy Hilary Boob: while I definitely see your point, there are probably only about 2 policemen working in Swindon at that time of the night on a weekday, and they'd more than likely be attending a 'domestic' situation.
I do agree, though, it is incredible how a couple of people can essentially run riot - and commit 100 to 150 serious crimes - through a contained urban area for 3 hours without being challenged by anyone or picked up by the police.
Silent Majority
says...
9:48am Tue 26 Feb 13
Or
Accept a 'conditional caution' from the police as an admission of guilt and as a condition of said caution the offender is required to pay back over a given period of time the cost of each tyre replaced and associated reasonabel expenses incurred as a result of the crimes, in consultation, as used to required under the Home Office Circular for Cautioning Adult Offenders, with each of the victims.
I wonder which way it will go?
Always Grumpy
says...
11:25am Tue 26 Feb 13
Silent Majority wrote:You're a hard man, those are pretty tough sentences you're suggesting for committing a crime in Swindon.
So, 90 crimes, plead guilty to one of criminal damage and ask for 89 to be taken into consideration. Probable result is a small fine and some unpaid community work as laid down in the sentencing guidelines for magistrates.
Or
Accept a 'conditional caution' from the police as an admission of guilt and as a condition of said caution the offender is required to pay back over a given period of time the cost of each tyre replaced and associated reasonabel expenses incurred as a result of the crimes, in consultation, as used to required under the Home Office Circular for Cautioning Adult Offenders, with each of the victims.
I wonder which way it will go?
Tim Newroman
says...
12:28pm Tue 26 Feb 13
Phantom Poster wrote:Right, I see, so, because someone says it's probably not great that there may be only 2 or 3 police officiers on duty in the early hours in a town of 200,000 people, you think that the solution must be to want several thousands police officers on duty. Well done, good job, have a gold star.
Tim Newroman wrote:Why? Do you honestly expect a policemen on every street corner?
@Jeremy Hilary Boob: while I definitely see your point, there are probably only about 2 policemen working in Swindon at that time of the night on a weekday, and they'd more than likely be attending a 'domestic' situation.
I do agree, though, it is incredible how a couple of people can essentially run riot - and commit 100 to 150 serious crimes - through a contained urban area for 3 hours without being challenged by anyone or picked up by the police.
MrAngry
says...
7:42pm Tue 26 Feb 13
I wouldn't be suprised if it was 1 crime when unsolved and now 150 once solved.
Fiddling performance targets is the public sectors primary function.
Tim Newroman
says...
8:38am Wed 27 Feb 13
is.gd/5Zn1IX
gambon says...
9:00am Sat 23 Feb 13