Westhoughton: Vandals target cars in wrecking spree

Police have stepped up patrols in the Westhoughton area and drivers have been left counting the cost of the vandalism spree over the weekend. 

One car has been written off because of the extent of the damage caused.

Officers were called on Sunday April 30 to the car park behind Aldi, following several reports of vehicle damage.

Following the vandalism, there have been calls for enhanced CCTV cover and for the community to work together to address the issue of anti-social behaviour.

One motorist, who wishes not to be identified, said that she found out her car had been broken into through a post in a local Facebook group and has since received a large number of responses after calling for other people whose cars were damaged to come forward.

• ALSO READ: Westhoughton: Investigation after 'vehicles damaged'

She said: “It’s very distressing when you work hard for things and see something destroyed by someone.

“On Sunday morning I woke up to find my car had been smashed.

“I knew there had been a spate of these incidents happening but thought that those who carried it out a week before, would have moved on to something else.”

She also says that the excess on her insurance would cost £600 and she is not sure if it will be written off due to the cost and reduction in the value of the vehicle.

The victim added that on a local Facebook page, following all the posts on this issue, she estimates at least 20 cars to have been damaged in the past few weeks.

• ALSO READ: Pikes Lane patients have cars damaged after van backs into wall

Another resident said that their car has been completely written off after her car was broken into, with items including a pair of Crocks, a raincoat and football boots stolen.

She also says that a half-eaten bag of sweets was also emptied and her son’s football was also kicked across the car park and popped.

They said: “I got a message on Facebook from a friend asking if a picture they sent was my car.

“I need my car for work, and it has completely impacted everything, and my thoughts were ‘I don’t need this right now’.

“They had emptied everything out of my car.

“I had to explain everything to my little boy.

“I am really lucky to have parents who are amazing and who can help.

“They are mindless vandals and they have not achieved anything from it.

• ALSO READ: Car windows smashed and spray painted with yellow 'MOVE' in Leigh

“It is usually a safe place to park, and I use the car park at least once a month and it’s never been an issue.”

Connor McEvilly who lives on Market Street says that he now parks elsewhere after his car was damaged twice – only a day apart from one another last month.

He says that he parked on Pavilion Square and hasn’t had any issues since moving in a few months ago.

Connor usually parks his car in the area overnight, and when he first got to his car – ready to leave for work – he realised his passenger window had been smashed, with pebbles on the roof.

He said: “My car was repaired on the Monday it was damaged and I went home from work on Tuesday, and I found on Wednesday morning it had been broken into again.

“I am still sleeping with one eye open because I am still worried about what my car is going to be like.

“It’s a relief when I do see my car.”

Cllr Andrea Finney says she was “deeply upset” to hear of the news and says she went to visit the scene following the incidents, urging anyone with information to come forward.

She said: “I am very concerned as a councillor in Westhoughton, and I was deeply upset to hear this.

Damage to Connor's car on two separate occasions (Image: Public)

“I am upset and ashamed that this is happening in Westhoughton, because Westhoughton is full of good people, and they shouldn’t be put through this sort of crime.

“It’s not nice for anybody to go through this.

“I am urging anyone with any information to please contact police no matter how small; it could be relevant.”

Police are now appealing for people to come forward with information.

Chief Inspector Justine Topping of GMP’s Bolton district, said: "We want our communities to feel safe in the areas where they live, work and socialise and I want to reassure those affected that local officers are following up a number of lines of enquiry.

"We continue to work alongside partners to combat any anti-social behaviour and crime and would encourage communities to contact us with any information or concerns.

“We would strongly urge members of the local community who live close by or who know anything about this incident to report it to GMP.”

Anyone with any information or footage can call police on 101 quoting 900-30/4/2023 or 999 in the event of an emergency.

Alternatively, witnesses can also call independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.

If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.