Car Vandalism

XDA

Looking for abit of advice regarding persistant vandalism of my car - Hope this is the right section!

I have had my car scratched with a key (Keyed) twice in May and again last weekend. Been reported to the police the last 2 times, but they werent that much help so I havent reported the lastest incident. The car has been scratched right along the length of the drivers side (from boot to bonnet), which left a deep scratch. The latest incident wasnt quite as bad. It always happens on the drivers side, which is the side next to the pavement. I have the feeling it's the same person, as all 3 scratches are identical. The annoying thing is that my brothers car has been left unmarked, and has always been parked infront of mine. Obviously my car is being targeted for some reason. It doesnt help that my car is parked on the road, and in a rough area of the town.

I have tried parking the car away from the pavement slightly, hoping that might deter the scum from scratching my car. Apart from installing CCTV and hoping to catch it on tape, what else can I do?

I fear my only options are either to move away from the area or parking my car elsewhere on Friday and Saturday nights?

I am due to get a brand new car soon, and I am seriously worrying about how safe its going to be!

pault123

My sister has had her car bricked a few times through the back windows on friday/saturday nights. Her solution was to park 2 mins further up the road away from the "scally rat-run" which has a stream of kids going to the local shop. Seemed to do the trick

Is your road one of these "rat-runs"?

XDA

pault123 wrote: »

My sister has had her car bricked a few times through the back windows on friday/saturday nights. Her solution was to park 2 mins further up the road away from the "scally rat-run" which has a stream of kids going to the local shop. Seemed to do the trick

Is your road one of these "rat-runs"?

Yeah, its one of these "rat-runs" - Local scum/junkies/hoodies etc use it as a short cut to get to other area's of the town.

I guess I shall have to park elsewhere on Friday and Saturday nights

Cheers

pault123

That would explain it, literally parking the car on an adjacent street where the scally footflow doesn't occur may be worth it.

Is it an expensive car to warrant the singling out?

anewman

Even if caught on CCTV the picture may not be clear enough to secure a conviction, and even if it is - you then have the problem of identifying the offender if they are not a neighbour. I also doubt someone "passing through" would see CCTV as much of a deterrent.

I would consider having an alarm of some description fitted to the new car, with a vibration/shock sensor. A proximity sensor would also be a good idea (particularly one that goes off if someone stays next to the car for longer than they should). Will cost from a few hundred, but is cheaper than repairing the scratches - and I doubt whoever is doing it wants attention drawn to themselves. I would also have a baseball bat and/or a can of carb cleaner on the ready for "self-defence" for when the alarm goes off and you catch the scrote in the act. An alarm brand I would recommend is Clifford.

PasturesNew

Sometimes parking on the other side of a road makes all the difference. They've got some set route they follow.
Otherwise, get it off that road.

Personally, I'd never ever buy a brand new car that I couldn't park off the road, preferably in a garage. It's just not worth the worry/risk.

steveo3002

is it a fancy /racey car that scum bags would be jealous off?

could ring the council and see how much a garage is if theres any near you...some are fairly reasonble depending on area £20-40 a month

i guess for the low cost involved an ebay fake alarm led and some alarm stickers might deter them if they fear the alarm will go off

XDA

pault123 wrote: »

That would explain it, literally parking the car on an adjacent street where the scally footflow doesn't occur may be worth it.

Is it an expensive car to warrant the singling out?

I am thinking about parking it in a supermarket car park. There's one 2 mins from my house, and it appears to be a safe enough place as plenty people are leaving their cars there that are for sale. Car's in adjacent streets have been scratched, sprayed with paint etc so its probably better to park it right out of the area.

Not really expensive, its a 2000 red Fiat Punto thats worth £1600. I tend to keep it washed and polished, so it probably stands out from others on the street?

anewman wrote: »

Even if caught on CCTV the picture may not be clear enough to secure a conviction, and even if it is - you then have the problem of identifying the offender if they are not a neighbour. I also doubt someone "passing through" would see CCTV as much of a deterrent.

I would consider having an alarm of some description fitted to the new car, with a vibration/shock sensor. A proximity sensor would also be a good idea (particularly one that goes off if someone stays next to the car for longer than they should). Will cost from a few hundred, but is cheaper than repairing the scratches - and I doubt whoever is doing it wants attention drawn to themselves. I would also have a baseball bat and/or a can of carb cleaner on the ready for "self-defence" for when the alarm goes off and you catch the scrote in the act. An alarm brand I would recommend is Clifford.

I totally agree with what you are saying about CCTV, and thats the reason I havent got anything fitted.

My new car (Ford Focus) comes with the proximity alarm as standard so that might help - Providing I can catch somebody before they get away. I have "tools" at hand should I catch somebody scratching my car, however I doubt that'll have any effect. Scum like that never learn and would probably just come back and do it all the more. I'll look into the Clifford alarms, and perhaps see about getting something fitted. Cheers

PasturesNew wrote: »

Sometimes parking on the other side of a road makes all the difference. They've got some set route they follow.
Otherwise, get it off that road.

Personally, I'd never ever buy a brand new car that I couldn't park off the road, preferably in a garage. It's just not worth the worry/risk.

Cant park it on the other side of the street, as it would be blocking neighbours driveway. Plus the road isnt wide enough to allow me to park on the otherside, otherwide I would give that a try!

Im getting a company car, and its something that I will need for my job. I wouldnt buy a new car either that going to be parked on the road, but there's little I can do. I agree that its not worth the risk and worry.

steveo3002 wrote: »

is it a fancy /racey car that scum bags would be jealous off?

could ring the council and see how much a garage is if theres any near you...some are fairly reasonble depending on area £20-40 a month

i guess for the low cost involved an ebay fake alarm led and some alarm stickers might deter them if they fear the alarm will go off

Nah, just a standard 2000 reg Fiat Punto. I do wash it alot and polish it up so it could be that someones jealous?

I'll try my council and see what they have! Will also look at the fake alarm led and stickers on ebay - cheers for your help!




Cheers for the help and advice guys, much appreciated!! :beer:

pault123

Also make sure the supermarket doesn't have a 2 hour stay policy AND don't park it near any trolly bays as you may have some dents in the morning!

Be careful if resorting to the bat solution, in a court of law you would probably take the hit - in this country of backward laws where the fine for overfilling your bin is more than if you were to rob a shop!

bicycle_repair_man_2

pault123 wrote: »

Also make sure the supermarket doesn't have a 2 hour stay policy AND don't park it near any trolly bays as you may have some dents in the morning!

Be careful if resorting to the bat solution, in a court of law you would probably take the hit - in this country of backward laws where the fine for overfilling your bin is more than if you were to rob a shop!

nothing wrong with taking a baseball bat to defend yourself, the only way you would be prosecuted is if you attacked the vandals AFTER they vandalise your car and are leaving the scene, as long as you only use it to prevent damage to yourself or property then you'll be ok.

tomstickland

If you want some more ready gratification then go to youtube and search "chav arrested" and such like.