Two men arrested after police car damaged

23 April 2020

Several vehicles, including a marked police car, have been damaged in Weston-super-Mare town centre.

Windows of a parked police car were found smashed and graffiti sprayed on the vehicle. It was parked in Orchard Street and it is believed the damage occurred between 11.40pm on Sunday night and about 12.15am on Monday morning.

Several other vehicles, including a van and motorbikes, were found damaged in Worthy Place, Boulevard and Bristol Road Lower at approximately 12.30am on Monday morning.

Two men, aged 31 and 32, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

The 32-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of burglary and two public order offences.

He was taken into custody where he was subsequently arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer after allegedly biting one of them. The officer did not sustain an injury and was able to continue their shift.

Both men have been released under investigation.

Detective Constable Carolyn Olsen said: “At a time when the overwhelming majority of people are showing their appreciation for the work of the emergency services, it is all the more disappointing to learn one of our own vehicles has been targeted and damaged in this way.

“We would urge anyone with information about the incidents to contact us as soon as possible.”

Insp. Andy Roebuck, ASC FedPol Chair stated, “The people responsible for this are cowards. The officers have attended an incident to protect some vulnerable people and their cars are damaged in this way. I am sickened that people have done this. We have seen similar attacks on other emergency vehicles and clearly a number of people are cowardly in their actions. Such actions reduces our fleet capabilities and as such can impact on our ability to respond. I hope that our communities assist us identifying these people and they are brought to justice.”

Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to call 101 or report it online, giving reference number 5220086037.