'Catapult was used' in car arson and vandal attacks on vehicles in Droitwich and South Worcestershire villages - The Droitwich Standard

'Catapult was used' in car arson and vandal attacks on vehicles in Droitwich and South Worcestershire villages

Droitwich Editorial 27th Mar, 2019 Updated: 28th Mar, 2019   0

VANDALS have gone on a rampant spree on ‘an unprecedented scale’ throughout South Worcestershire, smashing windows on vehicles parked in villages and setting them on fire.

The first spate of attacks was carried out between 1.30am and 3am last Friday with cars and vans in Fernhill Heath, Himbleton, Plough Road, Tibberton, Crowle and Claines all targeted.

Away from Droitwich, vehicles in Flyford Flavell, Naunton Beauchamp and Claines also fell victim to the vandals.

In each incident a window was smashed and an accelerant poured in before the vehicle was set alight.




Then between 9.15am on Monday and 8.30am on Tuesday vandals targeted four vehicles in Plough Road, Tibberton, along with Station Road, Fernhill Heath and in Church Crowle and Netherwood Lane, Crowle.

Others in Bishampton, Broadwas, Broughton Hackett, Droitwich, Flyford Flavell, Grafton Flyford, Himbleton, Hindlip, Lower Moor, Malvern, Offerton, Pebworth, Pinvin, Powick, Upton and Worcester also fell victim.


Police said they believed all the vehicles, and some properties, were randomly targeted and that they were linking all the incidents.

Extensive damage was caused and the holes in some of the windows suggest stones were fired at them with a catapult.

One Twitter user tweeted: “Not happy! Rural criminal damage is out of control. Several car windows smashed in Tibberton in the early hours. And just been told Broughton Hackett hit too. Last week many cars were damaged and vans burnt out. Mindless vandalism.”

Det Insp David Knight from West Mercia Police said: “We realise this series and scale of incidents will prove alarming to the local community but we want to reassure people that this spate of crimes is rare and unprecedented in Worcestershire, and we take reports of this nature extremely seriously.”

Patrols have been stepped up in the areas targeted to offer reassurance to residents and officers have also been making door-to-door enquiries and viewing CCTV footage.

DI Knight added: “Thankfully no one has been injured as a result of these crimes but we are appealing to the public for their help in identifying those responsible.

“The damage caused to these vehicles and properties has resulted in a great deal of stress, disruption and anxiety for both the victims and the local community.”

He urged anyone with any information to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and warned people to remain vigilant, report any suspicious activity they see and review any CCTV footage.

“Our priority is finding out who is responsible for these mindless acts and ensuring they are brought to justice.”

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