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Crackdown on vandalism in Douglas
POLICE will be cracking down on vandals in Douglas this weekend.
The Douglas Neighbourhood Policing Team is setting up an operation to target criminal damage.
Last weekend saw nine cases of criminal damage to vehicles and police believed seven of those were linked and committed by the same group of people.
'The damage being caused is completely thoughtless, unnecessary and extremely upsetting for vehicle owners who have to bear the considerable costs of repairing the damage, sometimes significant,' said Inspector Richard Power.
'The damage also makes some cars dangerous and not fit for the road. Unfortunately, this is happening on a regular basis.
'It is believed that a large proportion of the damage is caused by drunken people walking home from lower Douglas, purposely damaging vehicles on their way.
'It is the Douglas police's intention to focus their operation on the areas surrounding licensed premises and routes leading away towards residential areas. The police wish to warn those who have committed this sort of crime in the past that a zero tolerance approach will be taken and prosecutions will be sought if anyone is found committing criminal damage.
'I can assure the public that your local police are doing what they can to reduce this but if anyone has any information that would result in identifying those who cause damage then please either contact a police officer or ring CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.'
The police also urge members of the public to report any damage they may witness/disturbances during the evening in order that offences can be prevented and offenders apprehended.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Send your comments to newsviews@newsiom.co.im
YOUR COMMENTS
Whilst action by the police is welcome perhaps Inspector Power might tell us what sort of tolerance the police were adopting before this new zero tolerance approach? Was it a 100% tolerance i.e. doing nothing?
GEOFF, Douglas
Good point Geoff. Considering the people who commit the damage end up being fined far less than the cost to the owners of the damaged property, one has to wonder how justice is served? Often the dregs who commit these offences have no money themselves anyway and therefore can't be held financially accountable for their actions. How about giving them 3 months in prison and upon them being released, have their benefits stopped until they have paid back the damage? Why are we so soft on these people? A couple of years ago some idiot smashed up the screen on the cash machine in Peel opposite the Royal pub. It cost over 400 to get fixed, as cost to the taxpayer, and the perpetrator got let off with a slap on the wrist! It's an absolute disgrace
IT GUY
Glad the police are doing something about the problem. If the Vandals live in IoM suggest they are locked up and then do community service, if they can't pay for the damage done. If they are from another country send them home and don't let them back into the IoM.
AR
You are fighting a losing battle here guys. What will happen is that the little scrotes that cause the damage and mayhem will be arrested and possibly detained. The police will go through the correct procedures and the little "darlings" will receive legal aid. Some clever dick solicitor will fight their case even though they have been caught red handed. Witnessess will be asked to jump through hoops and at the last minute having wasted thousands of pounds of taxpayers money the toerags will plead guilty, cop a slap on the wrist and head off home laughing their heads off
PEEJAY
Yep, certainly working this crackdown! 7+ cars that I know of vandalised tonight in Douglas!
DISGRUNTLED RESIDENT
Isn't it great being British? - Crime (we can now call some of it anti-social behaviour thereby discounting it), Drug & Alcohol Abuse, Poor Road Safety, and of course lots of Waste thrown around the streets, plus we can have unelected representaives making decisions for us about little things like tax and healthcare so we can just sit back and watch.
RON
Disgruntled resident Have these incidents been reported to the police? if not then they cant target the area police cant be everywhere. Are you or your street part of a Neighbourhood watch, doyou have garages for your cars do you have security lights simple things can reduce crime whilst it is not nice being a victim of crime there is only so much police can do, if you want more police on the street write to you local MHK and ask for more funds to be made available instead of cuts being made, if everyone done their little bit there would be less crime. Unfortunatley in this day and age people are discouraged from asking questions or getting involved in something. Sad times
KM
Drunks coming out of pubs? I thought it was an offence for licensees to serve alcohol to persons already intoxicated? So if the police are being vigilant outside pubs and they see drunk people leaving perhaps they can double up on their duties by prosecuting guilty licensees as well as the vandals BOGOF.
TONY
Simple answer,back the birch, job done!
DAVE
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Weather for Isle of Man
Thursday 09 February 2012
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