Tiptree new years tyre slasher leaves residents concerned

Hundreds of pounds worth of damage have been caused as Tiptree residents found their tyres had been slashed on New Year's Day.

Paul Blakesley, 49, who lives in Southgate Crescent in the Grove Road estate, woke up to the new year to find his wife Catherine, 48, and his neighbour's car tyres had been slashed.

Other residents living in Wilkin Drive and Tew Close have also reportedly had their tyres destroyed.

Mr Blakesley said: “My neighbour knocked on the door and told us that our tyre was slashed and so was his.

“We both had the same puncture mark on the sidewall of our tyre.

“Who goes out with a knife or screwdriver in their hand to a New Year’s Eve party to then go round and slash people's tyres.

“If it had happened to just us I’d think, who have we upset, but it has happened to multiples others.

“It could be the work of some drunken person, but I just don’t know what someone would get out of it.”

Paul said his wife’s car is now unusable and she will have to work from home until someone is available to fix it.

He said: “It’s going to need a new tyre, it's not driveable because it hasn’t got a spare wheel, it just has a puncture repair kit.

“Someone can’t come out until next Tuesday but thankfully she can work from home, it’s just stopping her from going into the office.”

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The repair will cost them at least £200 to fix.

He added: “With the number of cars that had their tyres damaged, there is easily £1,000 worth of damage in one night.

“Many people will out of pocket because of this.

“If they are caught, then justice can be served.

“One of our neighbours, who moved here three years ago, was worried about what sort of estate they have I moved into.

“We’ve lived here since 2005 and never had anything like this happen to us, apart from some kids kicking over our plant pot one Halloween.”

Essex Police have been approached for comment.