Crowland residents are being asked to report any incidents of crime right away in a hope to curb a spate of vandalism and theft that last weekend left a trail of destruction in the town.
Over the weekend, tyres were slashed, windows were smashed, wing-mirrors were knocked off cars and rocks were thrown through the windows of Crowland Abbey.
Councillor Nigel Pepper tweeted details and photographs of the damage on Sunday morning, stating “a crime wave” had hit the town and that “Crowland looks a sorry state!”
Coun Pepper told The Voice: “Dozens of tyres were slashed along three streets, West Street, Broadway and Peterborough Road.
“About 20 vehicles were damaged.”
Coun Pepper said Crowland’s anti-social behaviour problem was discussed at length at the Crowland Parish Council last Monday night, February 12.
He went on to say he has been in touch with Lincolnshire Police Commissioner Marc Jones and Assistant Chief
Constable Shaun West, who promised an increase in police presence in the town.
A special council meeting, scheduled today (Thursday, February 15), has also been called to discuss the problems.
Sergeant Cox from the Spalding Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “We are experiencing a spate of anti-social behaviour in Crowland and we need residents’ support to put a stop to it.
“In recent days vehicles have been damaged and windows have been smashed.
“We are getting information from the public when these crimes have been committed but we need people to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to us right away – it might just stop a crime from being committed.
“You can report to us by calling 101 and we are stepping up our patrols to combat this anti-social behaviour.”
A Crowland Parish Council spokesman said the anti-social behaviour has been an ongoing problem in the town but the recent spate is the worst it’s been.
The spokesman continued: “Obviously this is a step on (from before) and is criminal damage”.
As well as the anti-social behaviour, Crowland has also been hit by the spate of van break-ins (see page one).
