Gresford residents speak about impact of car damage

North Wales Police's Wrexham Rural team issued an appeal on Sunday, stating the incidents have taken place overnight between October 7 and 8.

A spokesman said: "Unfortunately we have had a number of reports of criminal damage, mainly to vehicles, around Narrow Lane and Pant Lane and surrounding streets overnight."

Residents told the Leader they believe youths were behind the incidents, based on sightings and the type of behaviour suggested by the aftermath.

Kevin Bailey, who lives in Pant Lane, said: "I think my car might have been one of the last to be smashed.

Kevin Bailey's car (Image: Kevin Bailey)

"It woke me up at around 5am and I jumped up and saw two lads running.

"I went out around the village for about 45 minutes, and there has been a bit of destruction.

"We do get quite a lot of youngsters coming from other areas to meet here."

In terms of his car, Mr Bailey's windscreen had been smashed, with two imprints in the glass suggesting it had been jumped on, he said.

Mr Bailey continued: "The glass was sprayed all over the back seat so it's taken a hell of a hit.

"As a child, everyone gets into a bit of mischief. I was the same - but never once would I damage anyone's property.

"Luckily for me, I get picked up for work but my partner uses the car to work.

"She had to use her mum's for now."

He said while there may be a delay in getting a new windscreen fitted, he is hopeful the car will be back up and running soon.

Kevin Bailey (Image: Kevin Bailey)

Describing his feelings in the wake of so many incidents of damage in the village, he said: "It is heartbreaking, and in Gresford there are a lot of old aged pensioners.

"Think how they must feel knowing these people are roaming around and going down people's driveways - because my car was on the road, but some of the ones damaged were on drives. That's bad."

In his message to those responsible, Mr Bailey concluded: "Think about what you're doing - in a few years you might be driving.

"You'll be the one with the vehicle then and how will you feel?"

Rob Chatfield, also of Pant Lane, noticed in the morning that one of the windows on his car had been put through.

His car also had what appeared to be "splats" from what he believes were potatoes thrown at the vehicle.

He said: "It happened somewhere between 12.30am when I got home and when my neighbour knocked the next morning.

Rob Chatfield's car with smashed window and 'potato splat' (Image: Rob Chatfield)

"Someone down the way heard a commotion at about 2am, but my neighbour heard it at around 4am. 

"Then I saw on Facebook that someone else said they heard something in Pant Lane at around 5am, so my hunch is they had a right old time.

"It sounds like they have come to Gresford to smash the place up a bit."

Speaking of the damage to his car, he explained: "It's almost comical - there is a house here which has some tables out with some fruit and veg on which they're selling - including bags of potatoes.

"There were potatoes all over the place, so it looks like they have been doing target practice with them.

"There are splats which look like the type of mark a potato might make on my window and door."

Mr Chatfield, 56, said he isn't someone who "gets really angry about stuff."

He said rather than frustration, his feelings lean closer to hope for the youths responsible; a hope that they are steered away from damage and vandalism.

Following the incident, he had to spend a few hours hoovering glass from his car, which he said: "Is not what I wanted to be doing with my Sunday morning, but I have window cover on my insurance so it seems like it won't be too bad."

A spokesman for North Wales Police said: "We are interested in obtaining any CCTV or photos of any persons in the area from midnight to 6am.

"The incidents have created interest on social media so if anyone has posted information on social media rather than contact the police please make us aware of what you know.

"If you have any CCTV or photos of any potential suspect please, or have any information that you feel could be of assistance, contact PC 2403 Adam Griffiths at adam.griffiths@northwales.police.uk"