News

Tyre slash victim's outrage at caution "let off"

By Jennie Slevin
December 03, 2012

A vicitm of the Great Hollands tyre slashings is outraged after a teenager who admitted puncturing wheels was ‘let off’ with a caution.

A number of cars were targeted in a spate of tyre-slashing in the area in August, and thought to be linked to a similar spate of incidents around Easter Weekend.

Earlier this mont

Tyre slasher recieves caution

h, the Bracknell Forest Standard reported that an 18-year-old man was cautioned after admitting slashing five tyres.

The man had been searched by police under the Misuse of Drugs Act, but was arrested when officers discovered he was carrying a lock knife.

One victim is disappointed with the way officers handled the man.

The 27-year-old, who does not want to be named for fear of reprisals, said: “It’s so frustrating, he had a weapon on him and he was under the influence, yet they just let him go with a rap on the knuckles.

“What’s that going to teach him later on in life? How is that going to prepare him if he thinks he can get away with this?”

The teacher discovered her Ford Fiesta had its front tyre slashed on her way to work in August, when she felt her car become unsteady at a roundabout on Mill Lane, and realised her tyre was ‘completely flat’.

The woman, who lives in Great Hollands, says she was told she was one of 10 victims in that area.

She claims a police officer investigating the slashings took away the tyre and wheel, saying it would be useful if they found anyone carrying a knife that matched the slash.

Her anger was sparked when she saw the report in the Standard.

“I’ve not heard anything back, it’s only from the article that I know that someone has admitted to slashing tyres. I’ve called the police about getting my wheel back, but they never contacted me.”

She said she wants the criminal to take responsibility for his actions.

She added: “I’d like an apology, how would he feel if this happened to him?”

A Thames Valley Police spokeswoman said she couldn’t comment on why the man was given a caution, but said any complaints about the way officers had handled the case should be made to the Quality of Service Department by emailing QoS@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk.

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Most recent user comments 4 of 4

We can expect to have confidence in our justice system when we have magistrates who actually understand real life. We can expect confidence in our police when they are free of political interference, free of Treasury cost cutting, free of police careerists who see every initiative as a step up the greasy pole, and when they begin to police proactively rather than just being a response service.

There was a time when there was pride in the role of being a constable, taking the time to actively get to know your beat and the people it comprised. Instead they ride around in cars, never meeting their public, and not knowing anything about the ground. PCSO's are a waste of time and are never about patrolling.

I can remember calling the police out to an incident down by the crematorium - they never arrived, I rang back and was told they had attended and I wasn't there. Found out they couldn't even find South Road or the Crematorium and went to Ringmead instead.

Winstanley, Bracknell
04/12/2012 at 11:56

So the man didn't receive the appropriate sentence for carrying a knife, no order was made to pay for the repair or replacement of the tyres, and the police have stolen at least one of the wheels and tyre involved.

How can the ordinary citizen have any confidence in the justice system?

PoneRana, Wokingham
03/12/2012 at 14:42

Maybe the criminal should also be forced to fork out the cash needed to change all those tyres....

CJ formerly known as CMA
03/12/2012 at 14:01

Pathetic excuse for 'justice', as always. But if you'd caught him in the act and kicked seven shades of sh** out of him you can guarantee that you would have got a real punishment. More than likely for going against his human right to damage other peoples property...