We're afraid after mystery vandal slashed our tyres and scratched threatening message onto a van
A Lancaster couple have been left shocked and afraid after a mystery vandal slashed their tyres and scratched a threatening message onto a van on their West Sussex street because they cut down a tree.
The married pair - who do want to be named through fear of further retribution - discovered several vehicles had been targeted by the nature lover earlier this week. The homeowners, aged 64 and 65, only recently bought the property in Keymer Crescent in Goring-by-Sea, West Sussex - a road where houses can sell for more than £600,000.
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They say they had several surveys done during the purchase, all of which recommended they fell a strawberry tree standing in the front garden as it was damaging a wall. A tree surgeon then carried out the work on Friday (Jan 16).
But the couple, who moved south from Lancaster, woke up on Monday (Jan 19) to find the tyres on both of their cars had been slashed, as well as another vehicle. And, menacingly, 'I am a tree vandal' had been carved into the side of a neighbour's van.
The wife said: “The first we knew about it was when a neighbour came across and told us that our tyres had been slashed. We thought it was a bit weird, but that it was random and someone was going around. Then we saw what was written on the side of the van and realised it was targeting us.
“It was very shocking. We are worried that they are likely to do it again. I don’t keep my car outside anymore in case they come back. Obviously somebody must have felt very strongly about it. We have no idea whatsoever who.
“You’d think if someone was cross they would post a note through the door or slash one tyre, but to slash 12 tyres and vandalise a van must have taken a long time and a lot of strength.”
The couple believe the vandalism happened just after 11pm, as that is when the husband returned home and he didn’t spot any damage. They have since replaced the wife’s tyres, costing a whopping £649, but they are unable to afford to do the husband’s too.
She added: “It wasn’t just some random thing we decided to do, it was on a surveyor’s recommendation. It was in our garden. We liked the tree, it was next to our window so it offered us a bit of privacy and shade in the summer. But we needed to futureproof. I don’t want the wall to collapse on pedestrians.”
The vandalised van belonged to another neighbour, who was parked outside of the home, and is "devastated" by the damage. The van owner’s partner, who also wished to remain anonymous, posted: “I want to be absolutely clear, particularly in case the individual responsible feels inclined to act again - my partner had nothing whatsoever to do with the removal of this tree.
“He does not own the property, was not involved in any decisions or work carried out, and simply parks his van legally on the road (a few doors down from where we live) like many other residents, hence I am absolutely distraught.
“Despite this, his vehicle has suffered the worst damage, leaving him facing a significant financial cost for something he is completely innocent of. This has caused a huge amount of stress and anxiety for us, especially as we had no involvement at all in what our neighbours chose (or were advised) to do in their own garden.
“No one should have to worry about their property being deliberately damaged for simply parking legally outside a neighbour’s house, and we are still struggling to believe this has happened, particularly as it could not have come at a worse time financially.”
Sussex Police said: “Police received reports of criminal damage to three vehicles in Keymer Crescent and Alinora Avenue, Goring, that are understood to have taken place between 11pm on Sunday (18 January) and 7am on Monday (19 January).
“Officers have pursued all reasonable lines of enquiry which have now concluded pending new information coming to light. Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has relevant information such as CCTV or mobile footage is encouraged to report it to us online or by calling 101 quoting serials 154 or 238 of 19/01.”