Vandals wreak havoc at St Albans garages again
The damaged garages on Bluett Road. - Credit: Archant
Vandals keep returning to the same St Albans garages to wreak havoc and destroy property, a resident has revealed.
On Sunday afternoon (March 26) at about 4.30pm, 15 teenage boys went to Bluett Road in London Colney and ripped the doors off six council-owned garages.
Nearby sheltered housing resident, Colin Mitchell, 74, says in the past they have jumped through the ceilings and taken the gutters off - but he said this week was the worst case.
He saw them and tried to reason with the group, but they threatened him with foul language.
Colin says this is not the first time the group have come down to damage the garages, which he says have recently had maintenance work done, and been roofed.
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He added: “I wanted to go across and give them a clout but all you get for that is two fingers - and I won’t repeat the words they said.”
In response, Herts Police officers warned the teenagers and spoke to their parents.
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Sgt Rory Arnott, from St Albans and London Colney Safer Neighbourhood Team, said they are aware of a rise in antisocial behaviour and have increased patrols: “I understand that this type of behaviour can be very distressing for residents and I would like to reassure those affected that we are doing all we can to tackle this problem.
“To those that are causing the trouble, we will not tolerate this sort of behaviour and I can assure you that we will deal with any issues robustly.”
Head of housing for St Albans district council, Karen Dragovic, said: “We are aware there has been vandalism and anti-social behaviour at this garage site.”
She echoed that the crimes are distressing for residents, and also stressed that repairs and clean-ups are costing the council money, adding: “We fully support the police in their attempts to identify those responsible and put an end to the problem.”
Anyone who would like to report anti-social behaviour should call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
If the crime is an emergency, 999 can be called.
