Residents' anger after vandals red paint splurge
by Lucy Buckland
lucy.buckland@essnmedia.co.uk
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SEEING RED: One of the signs
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VANDALS: Police are hunting for the mindless yobs who scrawled over Old Coulsdon road signs.
Photo no: CCRst050310b by Simon Turnbull
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DISGUSTED: Arthur Davy thinks the vandals should be caught and punished
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DISGUSTED: Arthur Davy thinks the vandals should be caught and punished.
Photo no: CCRst050310b by Simon Turnbull
Vandals who defaced street signs and cars with bright red paint are being hunted by police.
Old Coulsdon residents woke up to find wing mirrors sprayed and road signs defaced on Lacey Drive and Forge Avenue in a "spree of mindless vandalism".
Arthur Davy, who lives on Lacey Drive, said he was disgusted with vandals who had made his street look "tacky" and called on police to catch the culprits.
He said: "My partner had her wing mirror sprayed and it was lucky they just missed the paint work or it would have been really expensive to replace.
"It is just mindless vandalism. It is extremely annoying behaviour from a bunch of yobs who have nothing to do with their time.
"The worst thing is it makes the area look tacky and as if there is a problem with crime when there isn't."
Coulsdon East Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) Sergeant Simon Kensit speaking at a Coulsdon Neighbourhood Partnership meeting on March 3, the same day the vandalism took place, said criminal damage was an ongoing problem in the area.
He added: "Why somebody would want to throw red paint over vehicles I don't know, its mindless to me."
"But it is almost impossible to stop. If we put a patrol car at the end of the road they aren't going to do it, but if we are not around they will do it."
Sgt Kensit vowed to increase patrols and encouraged residents to report every incident of criminal damage-no matter how small.
He urged people to contact Coulsdon East SNT on 020 8721 2059 if they had any information on the culprits.
16 Comments
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by Peter, Wallington
Sunday, March 21 2010, 10:48AM
“I have just looked up the word "SPLURGE" and feel that the wrong word has been used.
According to my dictionary it means either:
Extravagent or Ostentatious
Neither of which is applicable here.”
by Tim, Croydon
Friday, March 19 2010, 2:23PM
“Just realised how harsh my comment was...I meant it in the best manner possible. Screw it you know I think we all get angry..maybe we just keep it inside so we seem like nicer people?”
by Mr.Angry, The Estate
Friday, March 19 2010, 11:23AM
“I do have this thing about not suffering fools glady Tim of Croydon, but there is a bright side to me,honest.”
by Th3rd, Croydon
Thursday, March 18 2010, 8:43PM
“Could Mr Davy have commited the crime himself, just so that he could have his face put in the papers again?
He loved the lime light and all the glitz and glamour that came with the last report. When he found out his star was fading, he thought of a new way to get back into the front pages.”
by Peter, Wallington
Thursday, March 18 2010, 6:33PM
“Tom I am of an age that prefers Margaret Rutherford.”
by Tom, Local
Thursday, March 18 2010, 6:22PM
“Peter,
I agree, especially the Joan Hickson version.”
by Peter, Wallington
Thursday, March 18 2010, 5:02PM
“Lisa - Also, Mr Davy was mentioned in a previous report and his car was vandalised.
Probably just a coincidence, but???
I say bring on Miss Marple, she's a much better detective than Columbo.”
by Tim, Croydon
Thursday, March 18 2010, 4:28PM
“Mr. Angry...Why are you never happy? Honestly, dude, this bitter lifestyle you lead and inflict on other innocent people (in this news message comment board for example) is not cool. Let people have their opinions, so what if you don't respect them or agree with them, people have to right to say what they want you know and not be totally and utterley riddiculed for it you know!!!!!”
by Lisa, ex Old Coulsdon, now West Purley
Thursday, March 18 2010, 2:07PM
“Peter.......you have ut exactly what I was going to say - what a huge coincidence the buses are slammed for ruining the green with roses and now red paint vandalism - this is a case for 'Columbo'”
by Mr.Angry, The Estate
Thursday, March 18 2010, 11:44AM
“Lesley of Coulsdon tell me about it..! the cops are not doing their job despite having tons of funding and making any excuses they seem fit .CT payers are being fleeced.”