Fury over tyre-slash vandal's 'slap on the wrist'

9:00am Tuesday 13th May 2008

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VICTIMS of a crime spree in South Cerney which saw dozens of car tyres slashed causing thousands of pounds worth of damage are furious that the teenager responsible has only received a caution.

Police confirmed a 15-year-old male was issued with a caution last week and deemed this the end of the matter.

Shane Bumphrey, 17, who was also arrested in connection with the incident had his bail cancelled by police, meaning investigating officers accepted he was not connected with the incident in any way.

Residents of The Leaze, The Lennards, Box Bush Road, Berkeley Close and High Street awoke on Easter Sunday to find 30 vehicles parked on the street had been targetted, with around 70 tyres ruined in total.

Mandy Taylor, who lives in The Leaze, told the Standard: "I was extremely angry at the time.

"We aren't rich, we can't afford to fork out £60 just so someone can have a laugh.

"How would these people feel if we all came round and smashed their stuff?

"I don't think the police officers have enough powers any more. They do a good job round here but I think they feel frustrated at times.

"A slap on the wrist is pathetic and I'm sure the police officers would have liked to do more."

A spokesman for Gloucestershire police said: "Whether a caution is an appropriate form of punishment is determined on a case by case basis with many factors taken into consideration before a decision is reached.

"In this case, with all things considered, the officer in charge of this case felt a caution was the most appropriate outcome to the situation.

"Cautions can often be misinterpreted as a soft form of punishment which is not the case. A caution will stay on an individuals record and can affect employment opportunities and result in refusal of entry into certain countries."

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