Backlash against ‘pavement parkers’: Car vandals go on overnight wrecking spree by breaking windows and spray-painting ‘MOVE’ on vehicles blocking path of ‘prams and wheelchairs’
- Three cars targeted by vandals in residential area of Leigh, Greater Manchester
- Vehicles had their windows smashed and words ‘MOVE’ were sprayed on to cars
- Owners will pay hundreds of pounds for repairs amid the cost of living crisis
Vandals went on an overnight wrecking spree as tensions flared over drivers parking their vehicles on the pavement.
Pictures reveal a chaotic scene in Leigh, Greater Manchester, with car windows destroyed, tyres slashed and the word ‘move’ spray painted on to their chassis.
At least three cars, including a Ford, Audi and Nissan, have been targeted by vandals overnight as an apparent parking row between residents on an estate turned ugly.
Their owners now face forking out hundreds of pounds for repairs amid the cost of living crisis.
Residents have been left terrified after cars were smashed up and graffiti doused over their bonnets in an overnight spate of vandalism in Leigh, Greater Manchester
At least three cars have been targeted by vandals overnight as an apparent parking row between residents on Glover Street in Leigh turned ugly
The targeted vehicles include a Ford, Audi and Nissan (above), with their owners now faced with the prospect of forking out hundreds of pounds for repairs amid a cost-of-living crisis
Although any motive remains unclear, it appears the attacker grew frustrated with off-road parking.
The incident sparked furious debate among locals about the ills of ‘pavement parking’, with some suggesting the cars were targeted because they were blocking pedestrian access to the nearby footpath.
Others have lashed out at the vandalism, describing it as an ‘appalling’ reaction.
An online commenter said the way the cars were parked meant buggies and wheelchairs would not be able to get through, branding it ‘not acceptable’.
One local said: ‘Unfortunately a lot of our streets aren’t wide enough for the amount of cars to park up so sometimes it’s necessary to park partly on the pavement.
‘I know and can understand how this isn’t good, but they should leave enough room for disability scooters and prams.’
Another joked that the vandal ‘clearly can’t spell’ and that they could hardly make out the graffiti.
Greater Manchester Police have been contacted for comment.
It’s hardly the first neighbourhood feud to be sparked by questionable parking.
Peter Escreet, who lives on Swinegate in Grantham, Lincolnshire, stationed his wide car in the middle of a pathway to St Wulfram’s Church to prevent a ‘constant stream’ of cars damaging his home.
Peter Escreet, who lives on Swinegate in Grantham, Lincolnshire, has stationed his wide car in the middle of a pathway to St Wulfram’s Church, much to the ire of villagers
He said that he had no issue with the church holding functions and events, but traffic frequently going past was resulting in ‘ongoing damage’ to both his home and the path itself
The 39-year-old said he had no issue with the church holding events, but traffic frequently going past was resulting in ‘ongoing damage’ to both his home and the path itself.
He said: ‘The house got hit, a car rolled over the step and cracked it, hit the plant pot, hit the post, hit the side of the wall, hit the corner of the walls.
‘There’s just been ongoing damage to the house and flagstones. I’ve paid to have three of them repaired and they cost £300 each.’
Mr Escreetsaid the incident that sparked it was a van driver allegedly lying to him over having not just hit his home – despite CCTV evidence and scratches on his van.
And earlier this year, a pensioner in a well-heeled market town was dubbed ‘gangster granny’ after she was accused of keying vehicles on a historic high street.
Pauline Wallin, 68, was alleged to have waged war on drivers who park without permits to access shops, cafes and the pub in Kenilworth, Warwickshire.
Staff at a physiotherapy clinic told police that a £40,000 Audi belonging to their manager was scratched in March, causing around £550 worth of damage.
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