Would this be classified as criminal damage

[cottonbud]

The other night a local yob in a group, decided to mouth off at my 14 year old daughter about how he was going to jump on my car and kick the windows in, she stood up to him and stayed by the car, he bounced on my car (causing no damage) and slammed my passenger wing mirror luckily without breaking it. 2 nights later i went shopping in the evening, as it was dark, i didn't notice my tyres but on driving on the main road i found it hard to control the steering, luckily i didn't have an accident and manage to limp the car to the supermarket, where i noticed the front tyre was flat, on going to put air in the tyres i went to take the valve caps off and i had 3 of the 4 missing. Last night a friend of my daughters who is also a friend of the "yob" in question told me he had been in the group but had no contact with my car but he had witnessed the "yob" mucking about with the tyres. I have searched the web and apparently letting down tyres isn't actually a criminal offence, but as my daughter had been told by this "yob" that he WAS going to do something to my car, does this change things as i am very tempted to report this matter to the local police. Any suggestions would be most welcome. The most sickening thing about this is i have just lost my mum and if this had happened at the same time next week, i would need the car to attend her funeral. Hateful behaviour.

[redcrx]

why not call your local police station (not 999) and ask for their opinion anyway?

[DTCwordfan]

at the very least even if the police feel that they cant do anything this time,it allows the police to build a picture of him/them and to pay heed to future infractions......I think if you tell them the last bit, they may go and see him and point out the 'situation of the victim' just to shame him that bit more. And who knows that may work, or it may not.

Has your daughter done anything like taekwondo? Apart from defence skills, my 12 year old really enjoys it and after nearly 3 years is now going through the last sub-levels to attain her black belt. I, of course, hope that she never has to call in earnest on those skills.

[ummmm]

The police take these things more seriously than you might think. They'll try and nip in the bud before it's too late.

[cottonbud]

thank you for your advice, have just phoned the local police who as "ummmm" said took it more seriously than i was expecting, but i think it helped that verbal threats had been made and also the fact "yob" had bounced on the car and that a witness came forward who had then seen him touching the tyres, it changed the perspective.
My daughter has done martial arts in the past and is now a bit rusty, think it may be the perfect time for her to go back into it.
Once again thanks to you wonderful people for your help

[boxtops]

Good for you cottonbud - if everyone reports what sometimes seems to be trivial incidents (although potentially dangerous to you!) then the police can see patterns emerging.

[DTCwordfan]

boxtops - I didnt know the police can see patterns - I'll ask them advice on my decoration and textiles selection next time.....lol

[123everton]

I would say it is a criminal act as they've damaged the vehicle and it's safe operation.
Difficult to get a conviction though.
I hate these scumbags, be careful, it tends to follow if you let it go it gets worse they view it as a sign of weakness.
I'm sorry to hear about your Mum, she's gone and a turd like that roams the earth...

[boxtops]

LOL @ DT. something like those 3D pics you had to be cross-eyed to view... (sorry cottonbud!)

[cottonbud]

i have just spoken to the "witness" again, bless him for being so brave and telling me, must have been awkward for him and found out "yob" had done even more to the car, so it has been noted and i agree with 123everton "yob" IS a turd,can't believe the police were so understanding and have "upped" the ante with note on report - "Victim is feeling vulnerable at the moment and feels targeted", so it gets dealt with better - result lol, love you lot on answerbank, even the randomness of decorating has made me titter :-) at such horrible times you still need to find humour in things otherwise you'd lose the plot and start rocking silently in the corner :-) x

[fredpuli47]

Road Safety Act 1986, section 70.

It's the offence of tampering with the vehicle of another without reasonable excuse.Penalty is maximum 14 days imprisonment or a fine.

[oranger]

let some air out of the yob.please ignore this advice

[anneasquith]

its bad enough this happening to your car at any time, but following your mums death just makes it worse.

[ABerrant]

Not quite sure why citing the Road Safety Act 1986, section 70 (legislation of the State of Victoria, Australia) is at all relevant.

More likely that in England & Wales the Road traffic Act 1988, Section 22A comes into play - Causing danger to road-users. Penalty is a maximum 6 months or the statutory maximum fine (£5000) or both.