Lynemouth community spirit ruined by vandals

Oct 3 2009 by David Black, The Journal

COMMUNITY spirit in a close-knit former pit village is being ruined by the actions of vandals who have targeted hundreds of cars in a tyre-slashing spree, it is claimed.

Lynemouth in Northumberland has been likened to a ‘mini Beirut’ and is said to be riven by suspicion, tension and anger in the wake of the continual night-time attacks which have damaged about 400 cars so far this year.

Fears are now being voiced that an innocent bystander could become a victim of vigilante-style action by some property owners against those suspected of being behind the vandalism.

In the latest incident, about 100 parked cars had their tyres punctured in the seaside village on Wednesday night, causing damage worth thousands of pounds.

Yesterday Berwick MP Sir Alan Beith and Lynemouth county councillor Milburn Douglas appealed for locals to help police put a stop to the orgy of damage by providing more information about those they believe are responsible.

One man was arrested following Wednesday night’s incident and is helping police with enquiries.