Christchurch locals have their say on criminal damages in Burton

The four incidents occurred during the evening of Saturday 20 March, 2021 in the Burton area of Christchurch.

No arrests have been made, and detectives are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

• Read more: Cars and home set on fire in night of violence in Burton

At around 7.35pm on Saturday March 20, Dorset Police received a report that damage had been caused to a vehicle that was parked on Martins Hill Lane in Christchurch.

It is reported that a rock was found inside the vehicle. Damage was caused to the front and rear windscreens, as well as a side window.

A resident on Martins Hill Lane said: “The first we heard of it was when the fire engines arrived. One of our close neighbours was affected and, from what I understand, it is one individual.

“I wouldn’t say there is a lot of anti-social behaviour but there has been more of it since the lockdown.

“At night here, it is pitch black. There are no streetlights, and you can’t see a thing.

“We have not had street lighting in this part of the village so why should you have some now just because of one individual. Maybe there could be more police patrol of the area, just to reassure residents more than anything else.”

Just over half an hour later, at around 8.10pm, reports came in that an object was thrown through the window of a property in Martins Hill Lane and another vehicle parked on the same road was set on fire.

A fourth incident was reported to Dorset Police at 9.13pm. It is believed that a fire was started deliberately at a property in Summers Lane.

A resident on Summers Lane said: “I was up in the bedroom and I looked out at the lights I had set up for my late mother across the road. When I came down, I had never seen so much smoke in all my life.

“Someone said it is the same bloke going round doing all of these things. If someone is capable of doing something like this, God knows what else they are capable of.

“The man who lives there also has his elderly mother living with him. The object was thrown through her window. If his mum was in her bedroom, it could have been very serious.”

Residents have said that anti-social behaviour has been rife in recent months, with graffiti and vandalism a common occurrence during the lockdown period.

The Summer Lane resident added: “Burton is usually a beautiful area. I used to live in London and this sort of stuff is pretty much every day. I came down here to escape all of that.

“I was in London during the IRA bombing at Regent Parks. I had actually met up with a woman in the park and when we get up to leave, the bomb went off. The destruction is caused was just awful.

“Seeing all the smoke coming out of my neighbour’s house brought all those memories back. This sort of thing is major.”

However, people in Burton don’t think that the incidents stop there. A property on Avon View Road in Burton has also been set on fire and had its windows smashed.

Police were called to the address last week after reports of the "malicious ignition" a mobility scooter parked outside was torched at around 12.30am on Tuesday March 16.

The resident of the house claims he saw a young person fleeing the scene after the most recent attack.

Police have said they are unable to confirm at this stage if this incident is linked to the other matters

A resident on Avon View Road said: “One window was smashed to begin with and then another window got broken.

“The lad actually came back and set fire to the place and a mobility scooter that was parked outside.

“Now all of his windows are boarded up or blacked out. There are no windows on the other side so now he does not have any natural light coming in. I am sure he is absolutely petrified now.”

Burton and Grange Ward councillor Simon McCormack has requested a meeting with the Neighbourhood Policing Teams inspector next week to discuss the rise in anti-social behaviour in the area.

Dorset Police have urged for anyone who witnessed or has any information regarding either of the four incidents to come forward.

Detective Constable Luke Davis, of Bournemouth CID, said: “These incidents have understandably caused concern and distress for residents and I would like to reassure everyone that a thorough investigation is underway.

“I am extremely thankful that nobody was injured during any of these incidents.

“I am appealing to anyone who was in the area and witnessed any suspicious activity, or who recognises the male teenager from the description provided, to please get in touch.

“I would urge residents to please check their home CCTV systems between 7pm and 9.30pm on Saturday 20 March 2021 for any relevant footage to assist my enquiries.

“Officers will be carrying out increased patrols in the area and I would encourage anyone who has any concerns to please contact their local neighbourhood policing team.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55210044694. Alternatively, to stay 100 per cent anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or call Freephone 0800 555 111.