A LANDLORD has been forced to install CCTV after his house was smashed with stones, eggs and a brick.
Noel Watson was left shocked after his Southbourne property was targeted twice in a fortnight.
The 73-year-old landlord said he has owned the HMO (House of Multiple Occupancy) on Pinecliffe Avenue, in Southbourne, for over 15 years and has never experienced crime before.
“We bought the property in 2007 as a bed and breakfast and lived in it for a few years ourselves, my wife, son and daughter,” said Noel.
“We moved out in 2011 and since then it’s just been a tenanted property.”
On Saturday, January 27 one of the tenants was returning to his bedsit when he said he heard a smash before seeing a group of youths in balaclavas ran away.
Noel added that the window was broken with a “very old house brick that looked over 100 years old.”
He said that the building was also splattered with eggs.
However, two weeks later on February 4 the house was targeted again with the upper windows being smashed with large stones.
Noel said the stones were so heavy that they broke through the window and left dents in the inside walls.
“First you think it’s just some kids larking around but when it happens again and no other houses in the street are attacked, it’s really strange.
“I don't know anybody who would ever have a vendetta against us, we're nice, kind and genuine, and nobody seems to dislike us, as far as I know.”
He said he has always been reluctant to install CCTV cameras on the property because he did not want to impose on his tenants.
However, after two targeted incidents Noel feels he has no choice but to install them for the safety of the occupants and others on the road.
“I’ve been in contact with the tenants and they said they want to be safe and want to know who’s coming to the front door.
“So, they’re all for it and it’ll help in many way but it is really intrusive and I’ve never wanted to do it before.”
A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “We have received a report that a window was smashed at a property in Pinecliffe Avenue in Bournemouth at around 1am on Sunday 4 February 2024.
“Enquiries are ongoing.
“No arrests have been made.”
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