Prankster tapes together 70 cars in four streets

Resident Gordon Brown initially thought Clarence Road in Lower Parkstone had been sealed off by police.

But when he stepped outside to take a closer look, he found his car and other parked vehicles in Clarence Road, Lower Parkstone, were also covered in tape.

He said: “It was a total mystery; I thought police had sealed off our road while an investigation was under way. But it just didn’t make any sense when I saw the same tape had been used on cars.

“I walked around the area and discovered that the same thing had happened in three other neighbouring roads with about 70 or 80 cars taped together.”

It was only when retired garage proprietor Gordon, 69, began removing tape from his blue Seat Leon that he realised a prankster was responsible.

“The penny finally dropped when I saw the words ‘gas main below’ on the tape. The gas board has been carrying out work in our area. It looked like the workmen had left the roll of tape and someone had decided to make mischief.”

Public-spirited Gordon said: “No one else was around so I removed the tape, so people wouldn’t be inconvenienced in the morning. I was also worried that it could have caused an accident or prevented emergency vehicles getting through.

“It was around 9pm and it took about half an hour because the tape was in one long strip. By the time everyone woke up on Satur-day and went out, it had gone.”

Southern Gas Networks spokesman Richard Lowes confirmed Gordon’s suspicions. He said: “It appears that someone, clearly without much forethought, has stolen a roll of our safety tape and used it in a way which could have had serious consequences.

“We are pleased that this foolish and mindless act hasn’t caused anyone any harm and would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. We don’t have plans to follow this up with criminal proceedings and would urge anyone with any concerns around gas safety to call the emergency number on 0800 111 999.”