Gang sought after ball bearing attacks
VANDALS went on a wrecking spree, smashing windows of vehicles, busi- nesses and homes in northern parts of the borough.
Police received calls reporting at least 25 incidents within a similar YOBS are being blamed for ripping down a memorial flag just hours after a service to remember the sacrifice of sailors in the Merchant Navy.
It is believed the incident happened on Saturday September 2 sometime between 9pm and 10pm at the war memorial in the centre of Ratby.
On Friday morning veterans, families and Mayor of Hinckley and Bosworth Councillor Ozzy O’Shea had attended a special commemoration service to mark Merchant Navy day.
The event centred on the village’s historic memorial unveiled in 1920 by First World War hero General Sir Douglas Haig.
The flag had been hoisted and tied in place as a sign of respect, only to be found sprawled across the ground a day later.
Local ward councillor Chris Boothby (Con Ratby, Bagworth and Thornton) said: “When the flag was raised it was tied off with a knot from a former sailor so there was no way that could have become undone by itself.
“I walked past the pole on Saturday night and the flag was on the floor. I was sickened by it actually that someone could do this when just a day earlier people were there, paying respects to the men and women of the Merchant Navy who gave their lives in service to our country.”
The flag was removed and returned to the parish council for safekeeping. Anyone who saw what happened or knows those responsible is urged to contact the parish council or one of the ward councillors. space of time on Monday evening.
Witnesses are being sought to try and track down those responsible for the carnage which left car and house windows and shop fronts shattered.
Ball bearings have been found at many of the locations in the targeted areas which included Desford, Glenfield, Newbold Verdon, Enderby and Braunstone Frith, Leicester Forest East and Blaby.
Early indications suggest the suspects used a vehicle to travel around the various locations and police are looking at the similarities between all the incidents to establish if they are all linked.
At this stage there are strong indications the mindless damage was caused by the same group of perpetrators.
Detective Inspector Mark Parish, who is overseeing the investigation, said: “This type of thoughtless vandalism will not be tolerated, those responsible have caused many thousands of pounds worth of damage over the space of a couple of hours.
“Officers are in the process of going through all the reports received and there may be further damage which we haven’t been notified of. I would urge anyone who has been a victim of a similar incident (Monday) evening to report the damage to us.
“We would also like to speak to anyone who has captured the incidents or any of the damage on CCTV or on a dashcam.
“If you witnessed the incidents or have any information about those responsible then please get in touch as soon as possible.”
Locations hit included Desford Road, Newbold Verdon - rear window of a car with a ball bearing; Desford Road, Enderby - two car windows and a business premises; Main Street, Newbold Verdon - a car window; Dominion Road, Glenfield - windows of a business premises and a number of vehicles; Bagworth Road, Newbold Verdon - a car window with a ball bearing; Somerset Drive, Glenfield - a house window using a ball bearing; Enderby Road, Blaby - car window.
If you have been a victim of damage or you have any information about the perpetrators contact 101 quoting incident 750 of September 4.