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Eastchurch car tyres slashed by Sheppey vandals

A factory worker whose car tyres were slashed says police can do nothing about the incident despite others also having their vehicles damaged.

Lisa Gillespie found her Dacia Logan with flat tyres after somebody had deliberately put a screwdriver through them.

Lisa Gillespie’s car tyres were slashed by vandals. Picture: Lisa Gillespie
Lisa Gillespie’s car tyres were slashed by vandals. Picture: Lisa Gillespie

The 46-year-old, of Eastchurch Road, Eastchurch, Sheppey, said: “I really have no idea why someone targetted my car.

“My husband came home from work at 10.15pm and when I went out to the car the following morning to leave for work at 7am I noticed the problem with the tyres.

“It’s totally unnecessary. We’ve been living in the area for 12 years and we’ve never experienced anything like this before.

“We’re pretty sure someone just took a screwdriver to them, it's just ridiculous.

“I phoned the police and they asked about CCTV or Ring doorbell footage, but nothing was seen on our neighbour’s doorbell camera unfortunately.

Lisa Gillespie, a factory worker from Eastchurch. Picture: Lisa Gillespie
Lisa Gillespie, a factory worker from Eastchurch. Picture: Lisa Gillespie

“I then had a walk up and down the road and noticed another car also had three slashed tyres.

“My husband returned from the school run and also noticed a car by the St George’s Primary School that looked like the tyres had been done too.

“My neighbour was really surprised to hear it had happened. We were all really disappointed.”

Lisa had to fork out £260 to get her tyres replaced.

The mum-of-two added: “The person who did this clearly knew what they were doing.

“I really don’t know what the point of it was...”

“They only slashed three of my tyres and because of that my insurance company wouldn’t pay out for the replacement.

“Insurers only pay up if all four tyres are slashed, it is stupid. Only two of my neighbour's tyres were slashed as well so it was the same for them.

“I really don’t know what the point of it was.”

According to car.co.uk, a price comparison website, it often “isn’t the case” that insurance companies will protect you from vandalism.

The website states: “In many cases, car insurance companies don’t provide cover in instances where your car has been deliberately damaged.

“This might sound unfair – but in actual fact, it’s all down to the way insurance companies classify claims.

“If someone’s vandalised your car, there’s no other insurance company to claim from.”

Lisa thinks the damage was done to her vehicle between 10.15pm on Monday, June 5, and 7am the following morning on Tuesday, June 6.

She said: “The police have contacted me since I reported it and said there is nothing they can do.

One of the cars along Clarence Row which has had its tyres let down last June
One of the cars along Clarence Row which has had its tyres let down last June

“They messaged to say they did the investigation but without CCTV or other evidence, there was nothing more they could do.

“It’s one of those things, what can you do in this situation.”

This isn’t the first time people’s cars have been targeted on the Island.

Playgroup staff had to spend hundreds of pounds on repairs after their cars were repeatedly targeted by vandals in a similar fashion earlier this year.

Employees at Wiggles in Sheerness had their vehicles scratched and tyres slashed and deflated on several occasions in the run-up to January.

The play equipment was destroyed by vandals in Sheerness. Picture: SBC
The play equipment was destroyed by vandals in Sheerness. Picture: SBC

The damage happened along Clarence Row near the Sheppey Leisure Complex.

It comes after a spike in anti-social behaviour across the area over the last few months.

A recent increase in vandalism is being blamed on “government cuts, a failing education system and poor parenting”, with children there being labelled as “feral”.

Over the last six months, vandals have burnt down the much-loved playground castle at the Beachfield’s sandpit, damaged parked cars owned by staff from nearby Wiggles Playgroup, thrown paint and glass in the outside paddling pool at Sheppey Leisure Complex and pulled plants from flower beds in Marine Town.

Further afield on the Island, yobs have destroyed war memorials by the Minster Gatehouse Museum and set fire to seaside toilets.

A Police spokesman said: “Police received two reports of criminal damage where between June 6 and 7 tyres on two cars parked in Eastchurch Road, Sheerness, were reported to have been damaged.

“No suspects have yet been identified however enquiries are ongoing.”

Anyone with information can call Kent Police appeals line on 01795 419119 quoting reference 46/104043/23.

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