Woman’s terror as yobs paint flat windows black – and then smash them (From Echo)
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Woman’s terror as yobs paint flat windows black – and then smash them
2:00pm Friday 2nd March 2012 in Local News By Gina Marden
Mystery - the damaged window
A WOMAN has told how she is living in fear after yobs painted her windows black and then returned to smash them in.
The 50-year-old who lives in Culverdown, Basildon, said she is now dreading the weekend in case the sinister vandals strike again.
The woman, who does not want to be named, was in her ground-floor flat when she walked into the living room and realised it was plunged into darkness.
Initially she thought there had been a power cut, but then realised three of her living room windows had been coated in thick black paint. One of the windows had also been smashed.
Terrified, the woman called police who arrived at the scene within minutes.
But, after the officers left, the yobs returned and smashed another window, causing £700 damage in total.
The woman is now petrified the yobs will return.
She said: “I’m really scared. It is such a sinister thing to do and now I am dreading the weekend.
“I feel like I have been targeted, but I don’t know why.
“Maybe it’s because I live opposite a field and it’s easy for these people to get away. But I just don’t know who would do such a thing.”
The woman, who has lived in the Basildon Council owned property for the past ten years, now wants to be moved from the flat.
She said: “There have always been problems with antisocial behaviour here, but never anything like this.
“It’s just so nasty that I’m frightened to stay here.”
Police are probing the damage and have increased patrols in the area.
Sgt Paul Costin, of the Basildon West neighbourhood policing team, said: “We are aware of issues involving antisocial behaviour in Culverdown and have been conducting reassurance patrols in the area.”
Witnesses to the incident, which happened between 10.30pm and 10.45pm on Saturday, should call the Basildon area police investigation team on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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