The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Man in court over tyre slashing spate
Residents in Peterborough have been left angry and upset after being forced to foot the bill for new tyres after a spate of vandalism overnight on Thursday (April 8).
Police believe that more than 100 cars were affected across Dogsthorpe, Paston and Welland with slashed tyres overnight.
Streets that are known to have been affected include Harebell Close, Crabtree Avenue, Furze Ride and Ulverston Close.
Some residents also reported having their car doors or even front doors damaged with a blowtorch. This left many in a very difficult position yesterday morning, having to find the money to pay out for a new set of tyres.
One resident the Peterborough Telegraph spoke to said: “I just couldn’t believe it when I saw. Both of my tyres on the left side of the car had been let down. I thought it was just my own at first but I soon looked around the street and noticed the same had happened to other people.
“I spoke to several neighbours and the feeling is a mix of anger and devastation.”
Another added: “I am a single parent and £170 is an enormous cost for me, especially right now. I nearly burst into tears when I saw someone had done this.”
Help has been at hand for some residents though. Peterborough MP Paul Bristow visited both Harebell Close and Crabtree Avenue to speak to some of the victims and link them up with local garages, as well as speaking to housing associations to see how they can support people who have had their property damaged.
Some local council candidates also spent the day in Dogsthorpe helping residents to change tyres, with one resident commenting: “I didn’t know what I was going to do and if it wasn’t for them I would still have slashed tyres, They have helped so many of us and are still out asking others if they need help. They have lifted a weight off my shoulders. Thank you!”
A JustGiving page has been started on the CoronaHeroes Facebook group in the hope of raising £1,000 to help. To donate to the fundraiser, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/stevie-wiley-5.
A man charged with
• damaging a number of car tyres in a late night spree in Peterborough last week has been remanded into custody.
A man was arrested on Friday, and he appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Monday. Matthew Smith, 22, of Somerby Garth, Welland, Peterborough, has been charged with eight counts of criminal damage, three counts of arson and one count of assaulting a police officer.
He was remanded into custody, and will appear at Peterborough Crown Court on May
10.