Sergeant Julian Ditcham pictured next to the A14 at Trimley where rocks were thrown at passing traffic causing damage to vehicles.
Trimley St Mary: How police tracked down eight-year-olds who threw rocks at cars on A14
By Colin Adwent
and Matt Bunn
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
11:42 PM
A CLUE left at the scene led to the identification of two eight-year-olds who endangered lives by hurling missiles from an A14 flyover.
Today, the detective in charge of the inquiry said the boys had been traced after an object discarded at the Trimley St Mary bridge was traced back to them.
The hunt is still on for others who have committed similar reckless acts.
The youngsters, who are from the Felixstowe area, had targeted at least 13 vehicles with rocks and stones on December 15, including an ambulance which had its windscreen cracked.
Residents have responded with horror that such young children were involved.
John Goodwin, Suffolk county councillor for Felixstowe North and Trimley, said “I’m horrified that a child would do such a thing – it just makes your blood run cold.
“They need to be made aware of how dangerous what they did was and if that gives them a sleepless night or two then that’s a good thing.
Mary Dixon, chairman of Trimley St Mary Parish Council, added: “I’m astonished that someone as young as that could do such a thing.
“They need to understand how dangerous what they did was. They have got to register that this was very dangerous.”
Detective Superintendent Stuart Sedgwick – the man leading a major inquiry after 22 incidents of rock throwing from eight A12 and A14 bridges in Suffolk – said: “An object was left at the scene. We traced it to a shop and through enquiries which narrowed down the search, and the co-operation of members of the community, we were able to identify the boys involved.”
The boys and their families have been spoken to by police. However, due to their ages the youngsters are below the age of criminal responsibility and will not be prosecuted.
Det Supt Sedgwick said: “It is fair to say their parents have been very supportive of the police action and were shocked about their childrens’ involvement.
“We are confident that these two were responsible for the reported incidents from December 15 and we will now be working with the boys, their parents, and the youth offending service to ensure the boys are educated about the dangers and consequences of their actions.
“The remainder of the investigation is still open at the moment as it was quite a wide-ranging in terms of offences committed elsewhere. It is my opinion these were likely to be copycat incidents.”
Signs have now been put up on main routes in the county encouraging motorists to report any suspicious activity.
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6 comments
That the police tracked these kids down is good.But people that express that kids as young as this committing this kind of crime astounds me. I have seen groups like this pushing garden walls down,throwing stones at house windows and damaging peoples cars;and when challenge,shout F off you cant touch us,when threatened with calling the police,go on then they cant do any thing, were kids. And dont any one try and tell me they dont know what they are doing.I was a kid once and before that age I knew right from wrong,also that kind of behavior could hurt some one.The kids of today understand they are allowed to get away with it. A succession of goverments have taken away parents rights to correct their children,now we are paying the price,a slap across the behind never done me any harm and thats what they need today. I do not condone any one thrashing the daylights out of kids but a slap does no harm,it does show them there is a price to pay for doing wrong.
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Mick Budinger
Friday, January 13, 2012
The police are to be congratulated for excellent work in tracking down these boys. The parents should be held responsible for their children's actions, and the public should be informed of the corrective measures that the authorities have taken to discipline both the children and their parents. It is not necessary to name the children and parents, just assure the public that the whole issue has been dealt with vigorously. Wide publicity must be made of these corrective measures in order to discourage other potential copy-cat behaviour.
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cwayconslt
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
I know this may sound harsh, but the family should be named, These 8 year old's may not be as innocent as it is made out. I was not an innocent 8 year old and due to some good old fashion policing a a clip around the ear an notoriety can bring some justice
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barry levine
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Well done to the police for finding the culprits in this case. What on earth were 8 year olds doing on the flyover in the first place, dont the parents care where their children are.
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janet essex
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Prosecute the parents kids parents saying do not know where they are standing on bridges probably miles away from where they live at the age of eight what are they going to be like in 10 years throwing not stones but boulders.
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MICHAEL PORTER
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
The parents were shocked! were they shocked when their 8 year old children were out alone and not supervised? The children might be to young to take legal action against but the parents are responsible for their children and should therefore be responsible for their actions! What if there had been an accident with people killed or maimed for life, is it sufficient to "educate about the dangers and consequences of their actions" then? Call me old fashioned, but I believe that parenting has responsibilities and an 8 year old left to roam alone is not good enough!
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Disenchanted
Wednesday, January 11, 2012