Reward offered after vandalism attacks

THE Evening Star is offering a substantial reward today after a trail of vandalism left 25 Ipswich car owners seething with anger.

The bounty will be paid out for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the yob who punctured more than 30 tyres in four streets, causing damage running into thousands of pounds.

Residents have now been left to pick up a tab running into thousands of pounds after tyres were punctured on at least 25 cars.

The crime spree occurred early Saturday morning in Clarkson Street, Bulwer Road, Victoria Street and Wilberforce Street.

Some of the cars targeted had two, three, or even all four of their tyres pierced by an object, which one of the victims believes was likely to be a syringe needle.

Police are now hunting the person responsible for causing the widespread damage in the Norwich Road area of town.

Tomasz Jakubowski, 34, of London Road, had only been asleep for two hours after returning from work at Menzies Distribution, when he was told three of his Renault Laguna's tyres were destroyed.

He had parked the car around the corner in Bulwer Road and estimates the damage could cost him more than �400.

Mr Jakubowski said: “It's crazy. My friend finished work at 6am and called to tell me that my tyres were flat. I was very upset. It's crazy. It doesn't make sense. I don't understand why. There's no point in doing this.”

James Allen, who has lived in Wilberforce Street for 18 months, had two tyres of his Vauxhall Vectra punctured.

The 33-year-old believes the vandalism, which he estimates will around �210, occurred after 2.30am.

The trained car mechanic said: “I was up until about 2.30am and of all days I closed the bedroom window. I imagine it was done after that.

“I was very distraught and very angry. Words can't describe how I feel at the moment.”

A frustrated Mr Allen said it is not the first time his car has been damaged.

“All the damage I have had done to my car has been by people who don't care,” he said.

Mr Allen said there were no visible signs a knife had been used and believes the damage was done by a needle from something like a syringe.

Another resident of Wilberforce Street who woke up to find they had been targeted was Ross Brooks, whose Renault Espace had a pierced rear tyre.

The 57-year-old, who has lived in the street for five years, said: “I happened to look out the window and saw a police woman talking to someone, so I went out to find what was going on. I felt sick. It makes you angry.”

Mandy Goodwin, who lives a few doors away, had two tyres punctured on her Ford Escort. The cost of repair is estimated at �150.

She said: “I said to someone that I would like to get hold of whoever did it and explain how funny it is. I have got to get someone to come and get my car and take it somewhere to have the tyres put on.”

If you can help catch the vandal, telephone Pc Samantha Waight at Ipswich Police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

- Tell us how you feel if you have been a victim of crime. E-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk or write to Evening Star Letters, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN.