Teen tyre slasher caution 'is pathetic'

5:52pm Tuesday 13th May 2008

A TEENAGER in South Cerney has been cautioned by police for slashing the tyres of vehicles in the village.

The slasher struck at about 30 vehicles in the Cotswolds village over the Easter weekend.

The attacker damaged more than 70 tyres of vehicles parked on The Leaze, The Lennards, Box Bush Road, Berkeley Close and High Street Days later police arrested a 17-year-old youth and released him on police bail. He has since been cleared of all involvement.

Now a 15-year-old youth has been formally cautioned for the offence. And police say that is the end of matter.

Mandy Taylor, who lives in The Leaze, said: "I was extremely angry at the time. We aren't rich, we can't afford to fork out £60 just so someone can have a laugh.

"How would these people feel if we came round and smashed their stuff?

"I don't think the police officers have enough powers.

"They do a good job round here but I think they feel frustrated at times.

"A slap on the wrist is pathetic."

A spokesman for Gloucestershire police said: "Whether a caution is an appropriate form of punishment is determined on a case by case basis.

"In making that decision a number of factors have to be taken into consideration.

"In this case the officer in charge of this case felt a caution was the most appropriate outcome to the situation.

"A caution will stay on an individual's record and can affect employment and result in refusal of entry into certain countries."

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